Metal-organic framework-derived Ni2P/nitrogen-doped carbon porous spheres for enhanced lithium storage

Transition metal phosphides (TMPs)/carbonaceous matrices have gradually attracted attention in the field of energy storage. In this study, we presented nickel phosphide (Ni2P) nanoparticles anchored to nitrogen-doped carbon porous spheres (Ni2P/NC) by using metal-organic framework-Ni as the template. The comprehensive encapsulation architecture provides closer contact among the Ni2P nanoparticles and greatly improves the structural integrity as well as the electronic conductivity, resulting in excellent lithium storage performance. The reversible specific capacity of 286.4 mA h g−1 has been obtained even at a high current density of 3.0 A g−1 and 450.4 mA h g−1 is obtained after 800 cycles at 0.5 A g−1. Furthermore, full batteries based on LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2||Ni2P/NC exhibit both good rate capability and cycling life. This study provides a powerful and in depth insight on new advanced electrodes in high performance energy storage devices.