Three-Dimensional Wettable Carbon Felt Host for Stable Lithium Metal Anode

Lithium (Li) metal possesses a high specific capacity and low electrochemical potential, which is promising as an anode material for Li metal-based batteries. However, dendritic lithium deposition and dead Li formation during cycling severely restricte its practical applications. Herein, a nickel (Ni)-coated carbon felt as the host is used for prefilling Li via a facile thermal infusion strategy, through which a Ni-coated carbon felt (CFt/Ni-Li) composite anode is achieved. The obtained anode exhibits an ultrastable voltage profile with an ultralow hysteresis (40 mV at 10 mA cm(-2)) beyond 200 cycles in symmetric cells due to the good confinement of Li metal in the conductive carbon felt frameworks. Moreover, the porous carbon felt not only provides good electronic connection but also the space for accommodating volume expansion which leads to low dimensional change and the inhibition of Li dendrite growth. When paired with a LiFePO4(LFP) cathode, the CFt/Ni-Li anode shows better rate capability and long-term cycling stability after 600 cycles at 1C. An important strategy for the design of stable Li metal anodes is provided, which is significant for practical applications of advanced Li metal batteries.