Ni(OH)2 nanosheets modified Prussian blue tubes to construct buffer layer for lithium dendrite regulation

Although the Li metal anode has a high theoretical capacity and low potential, the uncontrolled growth of Li dendrites and the significant volume variation of the Li anode prevent the practical deployment of lithium metal batteries (LMBs). To effectively control the Li dendrite growth with suppression, in this contribution, the Ni(OH)2 nanosheets modified Prussian blue tubes (PBT/Ni(OH)2) are employed to construct a three-dimensional frame-work (3D) on the surface of Li. The PBT can homogenize the Li+ flux, while the Ni(OH)2 nanosheets provide sufficient space to accommodate the volume change of Li. Thus, the growth of Li dendrites is largely suppressed compared to pristine Li. In detail, with the introduction of PBT/Ni(OH)2, the Li||Li cells provide 500 h of consistent cycling performance at 1 mA cm-2, while the Li||Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) cells also exhibit superior cycle reversibility over 450 cycles at 175 mAh g-1.

Automated summary

The growth of Li dendrites in lithium metal batteries is effectively controlled by constructing a three-dimensional framework on the surface of Li using Ni(OH)2 nanosheets modified Prussian blue tubes. This method provides a homogenous Li+ flux and sufficient space to accommodate the volume change of Li, resulting in suppressed dendrite growth and improved cycling performance.