The electrochemical reactivity of the NiP3 skutterudite-type phase with lithium

• DOI: 10.1007/s11581-007-0190-z
• Publication Date: 2008-01-03T00:53:15Z
• Authors: S. Boyanov; F. Gillot; L. Monconduit
• Keywords: Reactivity; Formula unit

We report the electrochemical Li reactivity of the cubic NiP3 phase, a candidate for anode applications for Li-ion batteries. NiP3 reacts with nine lithium per formula unit leading to a first cycle reversible capacity of 1,475 mAh/g at an average potential of 0.9 V vs. Li+/Li°. Electrochemical measurements and complementary X-ray diffraction showed that NiP3 presents a conversion process $$ {\left( {{\text{NiP}}_{{\text{3}}} {\text{ + 9 Li}}^{ + } {\text{ + 9e}}^{ - } \to {\text{ Ni $ ^\circ $ + 3Li}}_{{\text{3}}} {\text{P}}} \right)} $$ competing with an insertion process. A good cycleability may only be obtained on a limited potential window, excluding the low-potential region.