Electrocatalysis of Fe‐N‐C Bonds Driving Reliable Interphase and Fast Kinetics for Phosphorus Anode in Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

AbstractPhosphorus exhibits high capacity and low redox potential, making it a promising anode material for future sodium‐ion batteries. However, its practical applications are confined by poor durability and sluggish kinetics. Herein, an innovative in‐situ electrochemically self‐driven strategy is presented to embed phosphorus nanocrystal (≈10 nm) into a Fe‐N‐C‐rich 3D carbon framework (P/Fe‐N‐C). This strategy enables rapid and high‐capacity sodium ion storage. Through a combination of experimental assistance and theoretical calculations, a novel synergistic catalytic mechanism of Fe‐N‐C is reasonably proposed. In detail, the electrochemical formation of Fe‐N‐C catalytic sites facilitates the release of fluorine in ester‐based electrolyte, inducing Na+‐conducting‐enhanced solid‐electrolyte interphase. Furthermore, it also effectively induces the dissociation energy of the P‐P bond and promotes the reaction kinetics of P anode. As a result, the unconventional P/Fe‐N‐C anode demonstrates outstanding rate‐capability (267 mAh g−1 at 100 A g−1) and cycling stability (72%, 10 000 cycles). Notably, the assembled pouch cell achieves high‐energy density of 220 Wh kg−1.