Recent Advances in Nanostructured Metal Phosphides as Promising Anode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries

Recently, metal phosphides have been extensively investigated as promising anode materials for rechargeable batteries ascribing to their good electrical conductivities and favorable electrochemical performances. These materials usually exhibit conversion-type (and alloying-type) lithium, sodium, or potassium storage mechanisms, thus delivering large specific capacities. However, the cycle performances of phosphide anodes require further enhancement to satisfy the requirements in practical applications. And the large-scale production of pure-phase and stable metal phosphides for commercialization is also limited. This review briefly summarizes the recent advances in the facile synthesis of metal phosphides and their potential application as anode materials in rechargeable Li-, Na- and K-ion batteries. To accommodate the diversified and rigid requirements in different secondary batteries, various nanostructures and architectures ranging from zero dimension to three dimensions, such as nanoparticles, core-shells, nanowires, layered structures, and the formation of composite electrodes (with conductive carbon, carbon nanotubes and graphene), have been involved in metal phosphides to improve their rate and cycle performances. In the end, we conclude the current concerns and future development with respect to the practical application of metal phosphide anodes in rechargeable batteries.