Fast-charging lithium-ion batteries at low temperatures using a high-capacity phosphorus-based anode

Highly reliable fast-charging at low temperatures is critical for the advancement of lithium-ion batteries. Despite the safe lithiation potential and high theoretical capacity of a phosphorus-based anode, its decreased Li⁺ transfer leads to reduced capacity utilization and structural variations. We report a black phosphorus (BP)-based anode with fast-charging ability at low temperatures. The design involves BP-Mo particles incorporated with Sn₂P₂O₇, an active Li⁺ reservoir, facilitating fast and uniform Li⁺ diffusion and inducing stable Li₃P-based solid-electrolyte interphase. The high-mass loaded BP-Mo/Sn₂P₂O₇ anode delivers a capacity of 5.6 mA h cm⁻² and 751 mA h g⁻¹ at −10°C and 4C, and 4.9 mA h cm⁻² and 691 mA h g⁻¹ at −30 °C and 2C, with 79 % and 75 % capacity retention after 300 cycles, respectively. At −50°C, the initial capacity of 616 mA h g⁻¹ retains 92 % after 175 cycles. Under these two conditions, the full cells of BP-Mo/Sn₂P₂O₇ paired with LiCoO₂cathode show comparable stable fast-charging ability at low temperatures, and the pouch cell has a capacity retention of 88 % at −10 °C and 2C after 150 cycles.