Monodispersed Ni12P5 nanocrystals in situ grown on reduced graphene oxide matrix with enhanced Li-electrochemical properties

Abstract

By an in situ hot-injection synthetic method, an anode material composed of monodispersed Ni12P5 nanocrystals in situ grown into three dimensional (3D) reduced graphene oxide (rGO) matrix has been manufactured. The process of fabrication includes functionalization of graphene oxide, nucleation, crystallization and ligand removal. Simple operation, relatively mild and scalable reaction conditions as well as three dimensional (3D) interconnected porous rGO as the matrix have been utilized in the process of fabrication. In the assembled nanostructure, the high electrical conductivity and the interconnected porous network of rGO have contributed to the Ni12P5/rGO nanocomposites with fast channels for lithium-ion transport and electron transfer. Besides, the Ni12P5 nanocrystals have a small size and monodispersed phase, which are able to accommodate the volume expansion during cycling. Therefore, Ni12P5/rGO nanocomposites present excellent electrochemical lithium-storage performance, including long-life cycling stability, high heat resistance and high rate capability.