A Conductive Ni2P Nanoporous Composite with a 3D Structure Derived from a Metal–Organic Framework for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Sulfur cathodes have attracted significant attention as next-generation electrode material candidates due to their considerable theoretical energy density. The main challenge in developing long-life Li–S batteries is to simultaneously suppress the shuttle effect and high areal mass loading of sulfur required for practical applications. To solve this problem, we have designed a novel nickel phosphide nanoporous composite derived from metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as sulfur host materials. Homogeneous distribution of Ni2P nanoparticles significantly avoids soluble polysulfides migrating out of the framework through strong chemical interactions, and the conductive 3D skeleton offers an accelerating electron transport. As a result, S@Ni2P/NC has exhibited an enhanced performance of 1357 mAh g−1 initially at 0.2 C (1 C=1675 mA g−1) and remaining at 946 mAh g−1 after 300 cycles. Even at an areal mass loading of sulfur as high as 4.6 mg cm−2, the electrode still showed an excellent specific capacity of 918 mAh g−1.