Embedding red phosphorus in hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers as anodes for lithium-ion battery.

Graphical abstract Highlights • Carbon nanofibers with hierarchical pore structure (HPCNFs) were applied as conductive matrices to hybridize with red P. • Red P were embedded in HPCHFs with a homogeneous and sufficient distribution. • P-HPCNFs anodes exhibited promising electrochemical performance. Abstract Red phosphorus (P) with high theoretical capacity and cost-efficiency shows tremendous potential as high-performance anode material. Here, we designed hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers (HPCNFs) by electro-blown spinning of polyvinyl alcohol/polytetrafluoroethylene (PVA/PTFE) with following carbonization and then encapsulated P into this HPCNFs via vaporization-condensation. The P-HPCNFs anodes presented a promising cyclability with reversible capacity of 883 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles and rate performance of 606 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1. The improvement of electrochemical performance for P-HPCNFs could result from unique nanostructure, in which HPCNFs ensured not only the high conductivity of electrons but also the stable structural integrity. Additionally, the designed hierarchical pore structure with sufficient surface area well accommodated the volume change and highly facilitated the access of electrolyte to active P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]