Porous Ni3(PO4)2 thin film as a binder-free and low-cost anode of a high-capacity lithium-ion battery

A porous Ni3(PO4)2 thin film as binder-free anode of a lithium ion battery was prepared using a new plasma assisted electrolytic deposition process. The total synthesizing time needed was only around two minutes. The reversible capacity reached 1400μAh/cm2 and remained at 750μAh/cm2 under 400μA/cm2 after 40cycles. Even a high charge/discharge current density (1200μA/cm2) was applied, the capacity could stay at 600μAh/cm2, higher than that of most anodes reported. Apart from the high performance, the advantages in environmentally-friendly fabrication process and cost effectiveness suggest that the Ni3(PO4)2 thin film has potential to be used as improved lithium ion battery anodes.