Highly elastic wrinkled structures for stable and low volume-expansion lithium-metal anodes

Abstract

Lithium (Li) metal is promising for high energy density batteries due to its low electrochemical redox potential and high specific capacity. However, the formation of dendrites and its tendency for large volume expansion during plating/stripping restrict the application of Li metal in practical scenarios. In this work, we developed reduced graphene oxide-graphitic carbon nitride (rGO-C 3 N 4 , GCN) with highly elastic and wrinkled structure as the current collector. Lithiophilic site C 3 N 4 in GCN could reduce the nucleation overpotential. In addition, this material effectively inhibited electrode expansion during cycling. At the same time, due to its high elasticity, GCN could release the stress induced by Li deposition to maintain structural integrity of the electrode. Limetal anodes with GCN exhibited small volume expansion, high Coulombic efficiency (CE) of 98.6% within 300 cycles and long cycling life of more than 1700 h. This work described and demonstrated a new approach to construct flexible current collectors for stable lithium-metal anodes.

Rooting Zn into metallic Na bulk for energetic metal anode

“…Similar to Li metal, the practice of Na metal anodes have been hindered by the formation and growth of dendritic Na, as a result of inhomogeneous plating/stripping of Na (Fig. 1a) [17,[26][27][28][29]. This dendritic growth may fracture the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI), which exposes fresh Na to the electrolyte and leads to the formation of new SEI.…”

Suppressing Li dendrite by a guar gum natural polymer film for high‐performance lithium metal anodes

“…This not only disrupts the integrity of the original solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film, leading to low Coulombic efficiency (CE) and increased interfacial resistance but also accelerates electrolyte depletion, further promoting the formation of "dead Li". [4][5][6][7][8] Moreover, the dendritic growth has the potential to puncture the separator, leading to a short circuit, and presenting safety hazards. 9 Therefore, addressing the issue of lithium dendrites is of the utmost importance to enhance the safety and electrochemical durability of lithium metal anode.…”

“…Consequently, it is highly likely that lithium dendrites will experience growth during the charge–discharge process. This not only disrupts the integrity of the original solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film, leading to low Coulombic efficiency (CE) and increased interfacial resistance but also accelerates electrolyte depletion, further promoting the formation of “dead Li” 4–8 . Moreover, the dendritic growth has the potential to puncture the separator, leading to a short circuit, and presenting safety hazards 9 .…”

Coupling a Three-Dimensional Nanopillar and Robust Film to Guide Li-Ion Flux for Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Anodes

“…Since their commercialization in 1991, the lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have made great achievements, but the energy density of the current graphite anodes for LIBs is approaching the theoretical value. , Owing to the limitation of a low theoretical capacity (372 mAh g –1 ), the graphite anodes cannot meet the exorbitant demands of electric vehicles, smart grids, and portable electronics . The ultrahigh theoretical capacity (3860 mAh g –1 ) and low reduction potential (−3.04 V vs SHE) make the Li metal anode an attractive candidate for high energy density batteries. , However, the carbonate solvents in the electrolyte are readily reduced and decomposed on the surface of the Li electrodes during the operating process to form a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). , The multiphase and fragile nature of the SEI ineluctably induces a heterogeneous Li plating behavior and makes it fail to withstand the volume expansion, which eventually leads to the Li dendrites and the formation of interface cracks. , Moreover, further growth of the Li dendrites and continuous consumption of the electrolyte lead to a decreased Coulombic efficiency and increased polarization. , Additional safety issues such as short circuits and thermal runaway occurring in the Li metal batteries have largely hindered their commercial application. , …”

“…Since their commercialization in 1991, the lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have made great achievements, but the energy density of the current graphite anodes for LIBs is approaching the theoretical value. 1,2 Owing to the limitation of a low theoretical capacity (372 mAh g −1 ), the graphite anodes cannot meet the exorbitant demands of electric vehicles, smart grids, and portable electronics. 3 The ultrahigh theoretical capacity (3860 mAh g −1 ) and low reduction potential (−3.04 V vs SHE) make the Li metal anode an attractive candidate for high energy density batteries.…”