MOF-derived inverse opal Cu3P@C with multi-stage pore structure as the superior anode material for lithium ion battery

Copper phosphide has shown remarkable development potential in the anode materials of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high mass/volume ratio capacity. Nevertheless, the low conductivity and volumetric expansion in the cycling process restrict its practical application. Herein, we ingeniously designed and successfully prepared copper phosphide (Cu3P)@carbon (C) nanocomposite with multi-stage pore inverse opals (Cu3[email protected] MSPIOs), including possessed the ordered macropores with the mean aperture of ∼100 nm induced by polystyrene (PS) sphere templates and the mesoporous structure with the pore size range of 3.0-9.5 nm and 16–27 nm derived from metal-organic framework (MOF) precursor. Compared to the Cu3[email protected] particles prepared without PS sphere templates, the Cu3[email protected] MSPIOs as the anode materials demonstrated exceptional lithium storage performance. At a high current density of 2 A g-1, the discharge specific capacity of Cu3[email protected] MSPIOs was 295 mA h g-1 in the 1st cycle while that dropped to 204 mA h g-1 during the 2nd one, and then gradually stabilized. After 1500 cycles, the discharge specific capacity can still reach to 166.3 mA h g-1, maintaining 81% capacity compared to the 2nd discharge specific capacity, which indicates the Cu3[email protected] MSPIOs as the anode material presented good cycling stability. Apparently, the multi-stage pore structure, which can effectively resolve the volumetric change problem during lithium ion (Li+) intercalation/deintercalation as well as facilitate contact between electrolyte and anode, is primarily responsible of the superior Li-ion storage property of Cu3[email protected] MSPIOs. At the same time, MOF derived carbon can improve electrical conductivity, accelerate the formation of a stable solid electrolyte interface membrane and also provide buffer layers to further alleviate volumetric expansion.