Synthesis of cobalt phosphides and their application as anodes for lithium ion batteries

A facile thermal decomposing method has been developed for the fabrication of Co_xP nanostructures with controlled size, phase, and shape (e.g., Co₂P rod and spheres, CoP hollow and solid particles). An amorphous carbon layer could be introduced by the carbonization of organic surfactants from the precursors. The electrochemical performance of typical CoP and Co ₂P samples as anode materials has been investigated and the CoP hollow nanoparticle with carbon coating layer depicts good capacity retention and high rate capability (e.g., specific capacity of 630 mA h g^-1 at 0.2 C after 100 cycles, and a reversible capacity of 256 mA h g^-1 can be achieved at a high current rate of 5 C). © 2013 American Chemical Society.