Pulsed laser-assisted ionic liquid electrodeposition of gallium nanoparticles and germanium nanostructures for energy storage

Ga nanoparticles and Ge nanostructures have been electrodeposited from 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMIm]Tf2N) ionic liquid with pulsed laser assistance. Laser irradiation led to clustering and vertical growth of Ga nanospheres, and formation of Ge nanowires and branched nanowires. Ge nanowires were also electrodeposited on a Cu foil under laser irradiation. The as-prepared Ge nanowires film anode yielded an initial discharge and charge capacity of 1646 mAh/g and 1278 mAh/g, respectively, and retained nearly 70% of the original charge capacity after 50 cycles at 0.2 C. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.