Gallium Ferrite as an Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Graphite, the commercially successful anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), faces challenges such as an unsustainable supply chain and slow rate capabilities, highlighting the need for alternative anode materials. This study introduces GaFeO₃ (GFO), a novel alloy-conversion-based material, as a promising anode for LIBs. Bulk GFO materials were synthesized using a solid-state method. Electrochemical performance evaluations revealed that GFO anodes delivered an initial high discharge capacity of approximately 890 mA h g^-1 at a current density of 100 mA g^-1. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies confirmed an alloy-conversion-based reaction mechanism in the GFO anode, which was corroborated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The overall electrochemical performance of GFO suggests its potential as a viable alternative anode for LIBs.