Nickel-doped cobalt phosphide with phosphorus-vacancy-abundant as an efficient catalyst for non-aqueous and quasi-solid-state Li–O2 batteries

Abstract

High-performance electrocatalysts are required to tackle the challenges for Li-O2 batteries. Elemental doping and vacancy engineering can modify the local electronic structure, and thus enhance the adsorption and catalytic activity. Nickel-doped cobalt phosphides, rich in phosphorus vacancies, are synthesized to boost the electrochemical efficiency in Li-O2 batteries. These nanocomposites exhibit high performance in non-aqueous Li-O2 batteries, with low overpotential and cycling stability up to 741 cycles at 500 mAh/g. Additionally, with quasi-solid-state electrolytes, the batteries can retain operation for 91 cycles. This study underscores the potential of elemental doping and vacancy engineering in transition-metal-phosphides for Li-O2 battery development.