A novel artificial film of lithiophilic polyethersulfone for inhibiting lithium dendrite

The dendrite problem and low Coulombic efficiency of lithium anode have hindered its commercial application for long time. In this paper, the Polyethersulfone (PES) film is spin-coated to construct a composite lithium anode. With the polar functional groups of PES, the lithiophilicity of the anode is greatly improved. Non-conductive uniform structure with polar functional groups (O = S = O) constructed on the lithium metal anode can realize the redistribution of the lithium ion flow and reduce the probability of dendrite formation in the hot spot area. A uniform nano-columnar lithium layer can be obtained even in the high current density of 5 mA cm(-2). Electrochemical interface studies have illustrated that PES film can increase the migration speed of lithium ion among the electrodes, increase the reduction reaction rate of lithium ion. Finite element simulation calculations show that the PES film can effectively reduce the concentration of lithium ion near the dendrite tip. In addition, with the Cu-PES structure modified by 3.3 mg mL(-1) PES, the average Coulombic efficiency of half-cell reaches 90%, and the cell can run for 220 cycles stably which is three times than control group in 0.5 mA cm(-2). (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study utilizes a Polyethersulfone (PES) film to construct a composite lithium anode, solving the dendrite problem and low Coulombic efficiency of lithium anode. The PES film improves the lithiophilicity of the anode and enables the formation of a uniform nano-columnar lithium layer, even at high current density. The PES film also enhances the migration speed of lithium ion and reduces dendrite formation, resulting in improved overall performance of the lithium anode.