Synthesis of nanorod-FeP@C composites with hysteretic lithiation in lithium-ion batteries.

Nanorod-FeP@C composites are synthesized via a one-pot solution reaction of ferrocene (Fe(C5H5)2) with excess triphenylphosphine (PPh3) in sealed vacuum tubes at 390 °C, in which PPh3 is used as both the phosphorus source and solvent in the reaction. The structure and lithium storage performance of the as-prepared nanorod-FeP@C composites are intensively characterized, and it is interesting that the composites exhibit an increased capacity during cycling serving as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Meanwhile, mechanism investigations reveal that the capacity increase of the composites results from a hysteretic lithiation of the nanostructured FeP phase due to the coating of the carbon shell in the composites. Meanwhile, cyclic stability investigation shows that the composites have a very good cyclic stability that shows potential for the composites with a long lifespan as a promising kind of anode material.