Comparative efficacy of exercise modes on inflammatory cytokines in patients with breast cancer: a systematic review with pairwise and network meta-analyses.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become indispensable energy-storage systems for portable electronics, electric vehicles, and grid-scale applications owing to their high energy density, long cycle life, and mature manufacturing technology [,]. Commercial LIBs commonly employ graphite as the anode material because of its low working potential, good cycling stability, natural abundance, and relatively low cost []. However, the limited theoretical specific capacity of graphite, 372 mAh g, restricts further improvement in cell-level energy density and makes it increasingly difficult to satisfy the growing demand for high-energy and fast-charging batteries []. Therefore, considerable effort has been devoted to developing alternative anode materials with higher reversible capacities and improved rate capability. Among them, germanium (Ge), a group IV element, has attracted significant attention as a high-capacity alloy-type anode for LIBs []. Although the theoretical capacity of Ge, approximately 1600 mAh g, is lower than that of silicon, Ge offers several kinetic advantages, including faster Li-ion diffusivity and higher intrinsic electrical conductivity []. These properties are beneficial for improving charge-transfer kinetics and rate performance. Nevertheless, similar to other alloy-type anodes, Ge undergoes severe volume variation during repeated lithiation/delithiation, leading to unstable electrode/electrolyte interfaces, and rapid capacity decay []. To address these challenges, rational nanostructure design has been widely explored as an effective strategy to accommodate volume expansion, shorten ion-diffusion pathways, and enhance the structural stability of Ge-based anodes []. Among these approaches, nanostructure engineering has attracted particular attention because it provides an effective route to balance the high theoretical capacity of Ge with improved mechanical resilience and electrochemical reversibility. Considerable research effort has therefore been directed toward improving the structural durability and electrochemical reversibility of Ge anodes [,,]. Rational nanostructuring and composite engineering are among the most effective approaches for mitigating volume-induced degradation and enhancing lithium-storage kinetics []. Ge nanostructures, including nanoparticles, nanosheets, and nanowires, have been explored because their reduced dimensions can shorten Li-ion diffusion pathways, increase active interfaces, and partially relieve mechanical stress during cycling [,,]. In addition, conductive carbonaceous matrices and two-dimensional frameworks have been incorporated into Ge-based electrodes to improve electrical conductivity, stabilize the electrode/electrolyte interface, and buffer the strain generated by Ge volume variation [,]. Although these strategies have achieved notable progress, maintaining intimate electrical contact, robust structural integrity, and efficient ion/electron transport simultaneously remains a critical challenge for high-capacity Ge-based anodes [,]. Among various two-dimensional materials, MXenes have emerged as attractive components for advanced energy-storage electrodes because of their high electrical conductivity, tunable surface chemistry, hydrophilic characteristics, and layered structure [,]. TiCT, a representative MXene, is particularly suitable for constructing conductive interfacial networks, as its surface terminations and layered morphology can facilitate charge transport and improve electrode/electrolyte contact []. Compared with conventional graphene-based materials, TiCT may offer favorable Li-ion transport kinetics because of its lower diffusion barrier and accessible surface chemistry []. Previous studies have also shown that TiCT -based composites can enhance charge-transfer behavior and help alleviate the mechanical instability of high-capacity alloy-type anodes [,]. Therefore, integrating TiC MXene with Ge-based electrodes offers a promising route to construct conductive and mechanically supportive interfaces for improved lithium-storage performance. In this work, a binder-free MXene-integrated Ge/C@NF hybrid electrode was constructed through a sequential assembly strategy, where Ge nanoparticles were immobilized within a PVP-derived carbon matrix supported on a three-dimensional nickel-foam scaffold, followed by the integration of a TiCT MXene conductive network. This architecture was designed to address the major limitations associated with Ge-based anodes, including volume-induced structural degradation, unstable interfacial contact, and limited charge-transfer pathways during repeated lithiation/delithiation. Within this integrated electrode framework, Ge nanoparticles provide alloying-based lithium-storage capability, while the PVP-derived carbon matrix contributes to electrical connectivity, structural buffering, and interfacial stabilization. Meanwhile, the TiCT MXene network facilitates electron transport and electrolyte accessibility,