Bi Works as a Li Reservoir for Promoting the Fast-Charging Performance of Phosphorus Anode for Li-Ion Batteries

Phosphorus anodes are a promising for fast-charging high-energy lithium-ion batteries because of their high specific capacity (2596 mAh g(-1)) and suitable lithiation potential (0.7 V vs Li+/Li). To solve the large volumetric change and inherent poor electrical conductivity, various carbon-based materials have been studied for loading P. However, the local aggregation of Li ions and electrons in P particles especially in the fast-charging process induces an uneven lithiation reaction and the great transient stress, leading to poor fast-charging performance. Herein, bismuth nanoparticles are implanted into a P/graphite (P/C) composite using ball milling. The Bi anode works as a small Li reservoir for trapping Li in the lithiation process and emitting Li in delithiation process prior to P anode, because the Bi anode has a starting lithiation/delithiation potential that is a little bit higher/lower than the P anode. Moreover, the low Li diffusion barrier in Bi and the stable interface between Bi and P enhance the Li reservoir effect of Bi, which promotes fast and uniform lithiation/delithiation reactions and avoids continuous cracking of the Bi-P/C electrode. Therefore, the Bi-P/C anode provides a high fast-charging capacity of 1755.7 mAh g(-1) at 7.8 A g(-1) (5.2 C) and a high capacity retention of 86.3% after 300 cycles.

Automated summary

Phosphorus anodes have high capacity and suitable lithiation potential for fast-charging high-energy lithium-ion batteries. By incorporating bismuth nanoparticles into a P/graphite composite, the anode exhibits improved fast-charging performance and cycle stability.