Transition-metal phosphides (TMPs),
such as iron phosphide
(FeP),
are currently being contemplated as favorable high-performance anode
materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) because of their high theoretical
capacity, cost-effectiveness, and availability. However, the inadequate
electrochemical reaction dynamics and abrupt volumetric expansion
of TMPs during cycling related to inferior conductivity constrain
their commercial applications. Herein, we synthesized N,P-codoped
onion-like carbon (NP-OLC)-encapsulated FeP (FeP@NP-OLC) using a simple
injection pyrolysis method, followed by a successive low-temperature
phosphidation treatment. NP-OLC, apart from constraining the volume
variation of FeP, also encourages electron transfer to enhance the
reversibility of FeP@C during the repeated cycling processes. Advancing
from the distinctive onion-like structure, the FeP@NP-OLC nanospheres
demonstrate outstanding sodium storage capability in terms of high
capacity (543 mAh g–1 at 0.5 A g–1 at over 500 cycles), superb rate capacity (544 mAh g–1 at 2 A g–1), and long cyclic life (560 mAh g–1 at 1 A g–1 over 1100 cycles). The
exceptional electrochemical performance is correlated to the meaningful
involvement of pseudocapacitive behavior through the charge–discharge
procedure, specifically at a high rate. Experimental results and theoretical
calculations showed that the FeP and carbon interface with a defect
can improve charge transfer and strengthen collaboration regarding
active nanoparticles and sodium atoms, thereby boosting sodium storage.
This facile strategy can be used to prepare other onion-like carbon-coated
TMPs for future energy storage of commercial SIBs.