The Sn-red P-Fe-based alloy materials for efficient Li-ion battery anodes

Abstract

Li-ion batteries (LIBs) have attracted significant research attention owing to interest in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Numerous cathode materials have been developed and commercialized. However, graphite-based materials with low reversible capacity are still used as LIB anodes. This imbalance in development diminishes performance of LIBs. In this study, active (Sn–red P)/inactive (Fe) (Sn–red P–Fe) composite materials were developed from a high-energy ball milling technique and were used as high-capacity LIB anodes. The electrochemical characteristics of the FeSn2/P(3:1)@C and FeSn2/P(3:2)@C composites were analyzed, and the results demonstrated their notable performance as LIB anodes. In particular, the FeSn2/P(3:1)@C anode presented an average reversible capacity of 704 mAh/g at 0.5 A/g, and excellent capacity retention of 93% after 200 cycles. To further analyze the electrochemical reactions and Li+ ion diffusion mechanism of the as-assembled LIBs, CV and EIS analyses were performed. The remarkable performance of the FeSn2/P(3:1)@C anode were attributed to the C buffer matrix, which prevented the aggregation of Sn, conductive Fe formation, and predominant pseudocapacitive reaction. Therefore, it is expected that the FeSn2/P(3:1)@C composite can be a viable anode material for LIBs. © 2023 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry