Synthesis of amorphous SeP₂/C composite by plasma assisted ball milling for high-performance anode materials of lithium and sodium-ion batteries

To promote substantially the performances of red phosphorous (P) anode for lithium and sodium-ion batteries, a simple plasma assisted milling (P-milling) method was used to in-situ synthesize SeP₂/C composite. The results showed that the amorphous SeP₂/C composite exhibits the excellent lithium and sodium storage performances duo to the small nano-granules size and complete combination of selenium (Se) and phosphorous (P) to generate Se–P alloy phase. It was observed that inside the granules of SeP₂/C composite the nanometer size of the SeP₂ particles ensured the fast kinetics for Li⁺ and Na⁺ ​transfer, and the amorphous carbon wrapping the SeP₂ particles relieved volume expansion during lithium/sodium storage processes and enhances electric conductivity. Therefore, the SeP₂/C electrode retained reversible capacities of 700 ​mA ​h ​g⁻¹ at 2 ​A ​g⁻¹ after 500 cycles and 400 ​mA ​h ​g⁻¹ at 0.5 ​A ​g⁻¹ after 400 cycles as anode for LIBs and SIBs, respectively. The result proves that the amorphous SeP₂/C composite can be a new type of anode material with great potential for lithium and sodium-ion batteries.