Clay-Originated Two-Dimensional Holey Silica Separator for Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Anode

Lithium metal anode is the ultimate choice to obtain next-generation high-energy-density lithium batteries, while the dendritic lithium growth owing to the unstable lithium anode/electrolyte interface largely limits its practical application. Separator is an important component in batteries and separator engineering is believed to be a tractable and effective way to address the above issue. Separators can play the role of ion redistributors to guide the transport of lithium ions and regulate the uniform electrodeposition of Li. The electrolyte wettability, thermal shrinkage resistance, and mechanical strength are of importance for separators. Here, clay-originated two-dimensional (2D) holey amorphous silica nanosheets (ASN) to develop a low-cost and eco-friendly inorganic separator is directly adopted. The ASN-based separator has higher porosity, better electrolyte wettability, much higher thermal resistance, larger lithium transference number, and ionic conductivity compared with commercial separator. The large amounts of holes and rich surface oxygen groups on the ASN guide the uniform distribution of lithium-ion flux. Consequently, the Li//Li cell with this separator shows stable lithium plating/stripping, and the corresponding Li//LiFePO4, Li//LiCoO2, and Li//NCM523 full cells also show high capacity, excellent rate performance, and outstanding cycling stability, which is much superior to that using the commercial separator.

Automated summary

Lithium metal anode is the optimal choice for high-energy-density lithium batteries, but the growth of dendritic lithium due to an unstable anode/electrolyte interface limits its practical application. Separator engineering provides a feasible and effective solution by guiding ion transport and regulating the electrodeposition of lithium. In this study, a low-cost and eco-friendly inorganic separator based on clay-originated silica nanosheets with high porosity and superior properties was developed. The use of this separator allows for stable lithium plating/stripping and results in high capacity, excellent rate performance, and outstanding cycling stability in full cells.