A black phosphorus/Ti3C2 MXene nanocomposite for sodium-ion batteries: a combined experimental and theoretical study.

A black phosphorus (BP)/Ti3C2 MXene composite was prepared by compositing small BP nanoparticles with exfoliated Ti3C2 layers. When used as an anode for sodium-ion batteries, the BP/Ti3C2 composite electrode exhibited higher specific capacity and better electrode stability than a BP electrode and a Ti3C2 electrode. The results of experimental and density functional theory (DFT) calculations illustrated that the synergy of BP and Ti3C2 based on a stable interfacial interaction simultaneously reduces the resistances from both electron and Na+ transport, resulting in the impressive electrochemical performance of the BP/Ti3C2 composite in sodium-ion batteries. The synthesis process and research concept could also be extended for further application of MXene materials and studies on sodium-ion batteries.