A Robust Li-Intercalated Interlayer withStrong Electron Withdrawing Ability EnablesDurable and High-Rate Li Metal Anode

Lithium (Li) anodes are not stable in most organicelectrolytes upon cycling, which is an urgent issue in next-generation Li metal batteries (LMBs) for durable high-energy-density storage. Enhancing the Li plating uniformity is commonlybelieved to be decisive for stabilizing the Li metal anode.However, here it is found that prohibiting e-escape to theelectrode surface for suppressing electrolyte decomposition is amore critical action than Li plating morphology control in LMBperformances. A Li-intercalated interlayer, obtained through thelithiation of an orthorhombic Nb2O5precursor layer withdisproportionate Nb4+/Nb5+components, is involved as themodel Li protection structure with high structural integrality,fast Li+conducting channels, and, more importantly, strong e-withdrawing ability. The Li anode performance gained by this advanced interlayer significantly exceeds that by theconventional lithiophilic interlayer, particularly under limited-Li-source conditions. Ourfindings provide alternativeguidelines for protective interlayer construction to achieve reliable and safe LMBs

Automated summary

In this study, it is found that suppressing electrolyte decomposition is more critical than controlling lithium plating morphology in stabilizing lithium metal anodes. A lithium-intercalated interlayer, obtained through lithiation of an orthorhombic Nb2O5 precursor layer, significantly improves lithium anode performance under limited lithium source conditions.