Sn_(4)P_(3)nanoparticles confined in multilayer graphene sheets as a high-performance anode material for potassium-ion batteries

Phosphorus-based anodes are highly promising for potassium-ion batteries(PIBs)because of their large theoretical capacities.Nevertheless,the inferior potassium storage properties caused by the poor electronic conductivity,easy self-aggregation,and huge volumetric changes upon cycling process restrain their practical applications.Now we impregnate Sn_(4)P_(3)nanoparticles within multilayer graphene sheets(Sn_(4)P_(3)/MGS)as the anode material for PIBs,greatly improving its potassium storage performance.Specifically,the graphene sheets can efficiently suppress the aggregation of Sn_(4)P_(3)nanoparticles,enhance the electronic conductivity,and sustain the structural integrity.In addition,plenty of Sn_(4)P_(3)nanoparticles impregnated in MGS offer a large accessible area for the electrolyte,which decreases the diffusion distance for K^(+)and electrons upon K^(+)insertion/extraction,resulting in an improved rate capability.Consequently,the optimized Sn_(4)P_(3)/MGS containing 80 wt%Sn_(4)P_(3)(Sn_(4)P_(3)/MGS-80)exhibits a high reversible capacity of 378.2 and 260.2 m Ah g;at 0.1 and 1 A g^(-1),respectively,and still delivers a large capacity retention of 76.6%after the 1000th cycle at 0.5 A g^(-1).