Na–Bi–Ge Glass Anode as a High‐Performance Network: Studies on Structure, High Rate Capability, and Long Cycle Stability

Abstract

Herein, the influence of nanosized amorphous intermediate domains such as Na 3 Bi and NaGe on the electrochemical characteristics of the new Na 2 O–Bi 2 O 3 glass anode network mixed with “GeO 2 ” nanocrystals is highlighted. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy pictures are evident of Bi 2 O 3 and GeO 2 crystals in the amorphous plain bright Na–Bi glass phase which is also justified in the X‐ray diffraction studies. The initial (1 st ) and final (500 th ) charge and discharge capacities are recorded to be 1097/783 and 621/614, respectively. The columbic efficiency ranged between 71% and 98.8% as the current rate varies from 0.1 to 5 C. The ionic conductivity achieved is quite high even for the 500 th cycle. This is due to the lowest value of R ct in the electro impedance spectroscopy spectra, which indicates a rise in electronic conductivity. The appreciable results obtained in this investigation create potential interest in designing and developing various glass and glass–ceramic anodes for large‐scale energy storage applications.