Long-Life Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Electrode Achieved by Constructing a Single Metal Atom Anchored in a Diffusion Modulator Layer

Lithium metal electrodes have shown great promise for high capacity and the lowest potential. However, wide application is restricted by uncontrollable plating/stripping lithium behaviors, an uneven solid electrolyte interphase, and a lithium dendrite. Herein, the highly active single metal atom anchored in vacant catalyst is synthesized on the hierarchical porous nanocarbon (SACo/ADFS@HPSC). Acting as an artificial protective modulation layer on the lithium surface, the numerous atomic sites show the superiority in modulating lithium ion behaviors and smoothing the lithium surface without dendrite growth. As a consequence, the SACo/ADFS@HPSC- modified Li electrode lowers nucleation barrier (15 mV), extends the smooth plating lifespan (1600 h), and improves Coulombic efficiency, significantly accelerating the horizonal deposition of plated lithium. Coupled with a sulfur cathode, the fabricated pouch cell with 5.4 mg cm(-2) delivers a high capacity of 3.78 mA h cm(-2) corresponding to 1505 Wh kg(-1), showing the promising practical application.

Automated summary

By anchoring highly active single metal atoms on hierarchical porous nanocarbon, the synthesized SACo/ADFS@HPSC shows great potential in modulating lithium ion behaviors and smoothing the lithium surface, resulting in lower nucleation barrier, extended plating lifespan, improved Coulombic efficiency, and accelerated horizontal deposition of plated lithium. These advancements lead to a promising practical application with high capacity and energy density in pouch cell configuration.