Application of transition metal phosphides (TMPs) for electrochemical energy conversion and storage has great potential to alleviate the energy crisis. Although there are many methods to get TMPs, it is still immensely challenging to fabricate hierarchical porous TMPs with superior electrochemical performances by a simple, green, and secure approach. Herein, we report a facile method to synthesize the CoP/C nanoboxes by pyrolysis of phytic acid (PA) cross-linked Co complexes that are acquired from reaction of PA and ZIF-67. The PA can not only slowly etch ZIF-67 and gain a hollow structure but also act as a source of phosphorus to prepare CoP/C nanoboxes. The CoP/C nanoboxes deliver an ultrahigh specific capacity (868 mA h g −1 at 100 mA g −1 ) and excellent cycle stability (523 mA h g −1 after 1000 cycles at 500 mA h g −1 ) when used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Moreover, when used as an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction, the CoP/C nanoboxes exhibit ultralow overpotential, small Tafel slope, and excellent durability in acidic media.
In this study, an in situ growth method is developed for the partial
conversion of current collector into active materials for lithium
ion batteries (LIBs). Through thermal treatment of a metal–organic
framework (MOF) precursor, of which the metal ion is provided by a
Cu foil current collector, porous CuO nanorod arrays (NRAs) can be
directly formed on Cu foil. Importantly, this strategy can avoid the
poor contact problem between the current collector and electrode material
as well as circumvent the addition of insulating material (binder)
and inhomogeneous distribution of conductive carbon material and active
material on the current collector. When evaluated as binder-free electrodes
for LIBs, porous CuO NRAs deliver a high specific capacity (1341 mA
h g–1 at 100 mA g–1) and enhanced
rate capability and cycling ability (671 mA h g–1 at 100 mA g–1 after 150 cycles).
The uniqueness of the Co3O4/N-doped carbon nanospheres derived from a metal–organic framework offers new functional materials for lithium (ion) battery applications.
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