Nanostructured metal phosphide-based materials for electrochemical energy storage

The development of electrochemical materials for advanced energy storage devices such as lithium/sodium-ion batteries (LIBs/SIBs) and supercapacitors is essential for a sustainable future. Nanostructured materials have been widely studied in energy storage due to their advantages including high transport rates of Li+/Na+ and electrons, short charge diffusion paths and high surface areas. Metal phosphides are promising candidates for advanced energy storage devices, stemming from low-cost, high volumetric and gravimetric capacities. In this review, we offer a brief summary of the synthesis and electrochemical performance of metal phosphide nanostructures and metal phosphide-based nanocomposites, associated with corresponding applications in LIBs/SIBs and supercapacitors. In addition, we discuss the relationship between nanostructures and electrochemical performances, together with the related Li+/Na+ storage mechanism. At the end, we provide the challenges and prospects of future research trends of nanostructured metal phosphides.This work was mainly supported by the Global Frontier R&D Program (2013M3A6B1078875) of the Center for Hybrid Interface Materials (HIM) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning and a National Research Foundation