Low-temperature synthesis of amorphous FeP2 and its use as anodes for Li ion batteries

The reaction of Fe(N(SiMe(3))(2))(3) with PH(3) in THF at 100 °C gives amorphous FeP(2) in high yield. As an anode material in a Li ion battery, this material shows remarkable performance toward electrochemical lithiation/delithation, with gravimetric discharge and charge capacities of 1258 and 766 mA h g(-1), respectively, translating to 61% reversibility on the first cycle and a discharge capacity of 906 mA h g(-1) after 10 cycles. This translates to 66% retention of the theoretical full conversion capacity of FeP(2) (1365 mA h g(-1)).