Nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped porous carbon prepared by direct carbonization method as potential anode material for Li-ion batteries

Hierarchically porous carbon (HPC) derived from pig bone has been synthesized to meet the increasing demand of carbon-based anode electrode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Pig bone with unique structure and high content of inorganic minerals (Ca3(PO4)2, CaCO3) acting as self-template was selected as precursor for the preparation of porous carbon and no more additive agents were needed. When tested as anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the as-obtained porous carbon exhibited excellent initial reversible capacity (1308 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1), superior cycling performance (640 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 after 500 cycles), and desired rate capability (304 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1). The outstanding electrochemical properties can be ascribed to the abundant existence of micropores, the specific microstructure, and doped with N and P elements.