Interlayer Engineering of MnP-Modified Ti₃C₂T_x to Achieve Ultrafast Ion Migration with High-Capacity Lithium Storage...

Ti₃C₂T_x materials, as an emerging class of two-dimensional layered carbides, have garnered significant attention due to their unique layered structure and distinctive surface chemistry. However, their theoretical specific capacity remains underutilized owing to heavy stacking and functional group constraints. To address these challenges, this study proposes an approach: introducing Mn ions into the interlayers of Ti₃C₂T_x followed by phosphorization treatment, successfully yielding MnP@Ti₃C₂T_x composites. The introduced nanosized MnP particles uniformly distribute between the layers and on the surface of Ti₃C₂T_x. This not only effectively expands the interlayer spacing but also provides a three-dimensional, ultrafast electron conduction network, significantly enhancing lithium-ion migration capability. 8MnP@Ti₃C₂T_x serves as a representative example, exhibiting exceptionally high reversible capacity (508.55 mA h g^-1 at 0.15 A g^-1) and outstanding cycling stability (338.54 mA h g^-1 after 1000 cycles at 0.15 A g^-1) in a half-cell system. X-ray diffraction and non in situ transmission electron microscopy analysis directly confirmed the highly reversible transformation reaction mechanism during lithiation/delithiation. Further data indicate that the incorporation of MnP significantly enhances interfacial charge transfer and reduces the lithium-ion diffusion energy barrier. This research not only reveals the intrinsic mechanism behind the atomic-scale performance enhancement but also provides a new approach for developing next-generation high-energy-density, long-life anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.