P-Redox Mechanism at the Origin of the High Lithium Storage in NiP₂-Based Batteries

The Li reactivity of NiP 2 is investigated by means of electrochemical tests, in situ XRD, and 31 P NMR characterizations as well as first principles DFT calculations. A two-step insertion/conversion reaction is shown to transform the NiP 2 starting electrode into an intermediate Li 2 NiP 2 single phase and then to convert into the Li 3 P/Ni° nanocomposite. The ternary phase is fully characterized and is shown to be structurally very close to the starting NiP 2 regarding the Ni ions environment. This demonstrates that its formation results from a P-redox insertion mechanism associated with a very good reversibility. However, its nucleation upon delithiation from the fully converted Li 3 P/Ni composite is shown to be kinetically limited (poor structural relationship) which strongly suggests that restricted lithiation is required for best cycleability of the NiP 2 /Li cell.