Strongly coupled FeP@reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites with superior performance for lithium-ion batteries

Strongly coupled FeP@reduced graphene oxide (FeP@rGO) nanocomposites are synthesized by low-temperature phosphorization of α-FeOOH@graphene oxide (α-FeOOH@GO). The introduced graphene sheets not only effectively buffer the volume change during lithiation/delithiation, but also largely facilitate the ionic/electron diffusion kinetics. When used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), FeP@rGO nanocomposites show excellent electrochemical performance. Among them, FeP@rGO nanocomposite prepared with the mass ratio of 1:5 (graphene oxide to FeCl3·6H2O) shows the best lithium storage properties. It delivers a reversible discharge capacity of 1000 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 100 cycles, as well as an ultra-stable capacity of 460 mAh g−1 at 1000 mA g−1 for 400 cycles. The outstanding lithium storage performance of FeP@rGO nanocomposites opens venues for the potential applications of advanced LIBs.