3D phosphorus-carbon electrode with aligned nanochannels promise high-areal-capacity and cyclability in lithium-ion battery

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 489; pp. 734 - 740
• Main Authors: Yan, Yuhua, Xu, Hongyi, Peng, Chengxin, Zhang, Pengcheng, Yang, Junhe, Zheng, Shiyou
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 30.09.2019
• Subjects: Aligned microchannels; Anode materials; Lithium ion battery; Phosphorus; Wood-derived carbon; Lithium ion battery; Phosphorus; Wood-derived carbon; Aligned microchannels; Anode materials
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2019.05.329

Despite of poor electrical conductivity and large volume expansion, low mass loading of phosphorus-based electrode severely decrease overall gravimetric/volumetric energy density, impeding its practical application in lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, we construct a high-areal-capacity P@rGO-ACW electrode by warping phosphorus with rGO and confining in 3D microchanneled carbon matrix (P@rGO-ACW). The conductive 3D carbon scaffold (ACW) derived from natural wood acts as integrated porous current collector to accelerate the electrons/ions transport, while the vertical-alignment microchannels confine phosphorus and accommodate its volume expansion. The unique feature of phosphorus‑carbon electrode with 3D aligned nanochannels allows for a considerable improvement in high-areal-capacity and cyclability even in case of high mass loading. As expected, the P@rGO-ACW electrode can deliver a superior lithium storage capacity of 12.5 Ah cm−2 at a current of 0.5 mA cm−2 and a stable cycling performance of 9.5 Ah cm−2 at 1.0 mA cm−2 with a phosphorus mass loading of 16.6 mg cm−2. Our approach provides a versatile methodology to explore high mass-loading electrode towards developing high energy LIBs. [Display omitted] •ACW with vertically aligned microchannels ensure high electronic/ionic conductivity.•The 3D P@rGO-ACW electrode with aligned nanochannels can confine phosphorus and accommodate its volume expansion.•The P@rGO-ACW electrode delivers a superior capacity of 12.5 Ah cm-2 with a high phosphorus mass loading of 16.6 mg cm-2.