Dendrites-Free Lithium Metal Anode Enabled by Synergistic Surface Structural Engineering

Lithium (Li) metal with high specific capacity and low redox potential is widely considered as a potential anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with high energy density. However, the catastrophic dendrites growth, dead Li formation, and surface passivation hinder its practical application. Herein, a selective artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer (Li2Sx, x = 1, 2) protection strategy is adopted, where the tip sites passivation and the uniform Li nucleation in grooves are well combined, which enables reversible Li stripping/plating with high storage capacity and robust electrode framework. The grooves derived patterned array Li with selective Li2Sx artificial SEI (LS@A-Li) exhibit over 1800 h cycling life at 1.0 mA cm(-2)/1.0 mAh cm(-2) and over 600 h even under 5.0 mA cm(-2)/10.0 mAh cm(-2). The application feasibility of such LS@A-Li is also confirmed by coupling with commercial LiFePO4 and LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NCM523) in the full batteries. This work paves way for the large-scale application of Li metal anode in lithium-metal batteries with a facile and efficient fabrication process.

Automated summary

This study adopts a selective artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer protection strategy to address the issues of dendrites growth, dead Li formation, and surface passivation in lithium-metal batteries, enabling reversible Li stripping/plating. The application feasibility of this protection strategy is confirmed by coupling with commercial cathode materials.