N doped FeP nanospheres decorated carbon matrix as an efficient electrocatalyst for durable lithium-sulfur batteries

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science 2023-01, Vol.630, p.70-80
• Main Authors: Jamil, Sidra, Wang, Han, Fasehullah, Muhammad, Aslam, Muhammad Kashif, Jabar, Bushra, Ud Din, Muhammad Aizaz, Zhang, Yi, Sun, Wei, Bao, Shujuan, Xu, Maowen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon matrix; Electrocatalytic effect; In-situ phosphorization; Li-S batteries; Metal phosphide
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.09.126

[Display omitted] Rational design and synthesis of multifunctional electrocatalysts with high electrochemical activity and low cost are significantly important for new-generation lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Herein, N-doped FeP nanospheres decorated N doped carbon matrix is successfully synthesized by facile one-pot pyrolysis and in-situ phosphorization technique to mitigate the conversion kinetics and suppress the shuttle effect. The large specific surface area with mesopores can incorporate up to 81.5% sulfur, with the conductive carbon and nitrogen co-matrix providing Li+/e- passage and fastening the redox kinetics. The remarkable adsorption properties and the electrocatalytic activity through physical confinement and chemical immobilization is thoroughly verified. Consequently, the FeP/CN@S deliver a high reversible capacity of 1183 mAh g−1 at 0.1C compared to Co/P/CN@S (961 mAh g−1); whereas, at 1C, a negligible decay rate of 0.04% is observed for 1000 cycles, possessing outstanding cycling stability and rate capability. Hence, the cost-effective in-situ phosphorization strategy to synthesize FeP/CN@S as an efficient nanoreactor is constructive to be applied in Li-S batteries.