Lithiophilic-lithiophobic gradient interfacial layer for a highly stable lithium metal anode

Abstract

The long-standing issue of lithium dendrite growth during repeated deposition or dissolution processes hinders the practical use of lithium-metal anodes for high-energy density batteries. Here, we demonstrate a promising lithiophilic–lithiophobic gradient interfacial layer strategy in which the bottom lithiophilic zinc oxide/carbon nanotube sublayer tightly anchors the whole layer onto the lithium foil, facilitating the formation of a stable solid electrolyte interphase, and prevents the formation of an intermediate mossy lithium corrosion layer. Together with the top lithiophobic carbon nanotube sublayer, this gradient interfacial layer can effectively suppress dendrite growth and ensure ultralong-term stable lithium stripping/plating. This strategy is further demonstrated to provide substantially improved cycle performance in copper current collector, 10 cm2 pouch cell and lithium–sulfur batteries, which, coupled with a simple fabrication process and wide applicability in various materials for lithium-metal protection, makes the lithiophilic–lithiophobic gradient interfacial layer a favored strategy for next-generation lithium-metal batteries.

Magnetic Field–Suppressed Lithium Dendrite Growth for Stable Lithium‐Metal Batteries

“…[7][8][9] Up to now, many strategies targeting lithium dendrites suppression rely on the "internal strategies," i.e., the modification or optimization of the components inside the cells. [20] One type of 3D current collectors is lithiophilic matrix such as lithiophilic-lithiophobic gradient interfacial layer, [21] N-doped graphene, [22] and metal−organic framework, [23] which redistributes Li-ions to the anode surface through chemical bonding interactions to achieve uniform lithium deposition. [1] Electrolyte additives such as LiF, [10] LiNO 3 , [11] and Li 2 S x [12] were chosen to form stable SEI on the surface of Li anode to suppress the dendrite growth.…”

Electrical Conductivity Gradient Based on Heterofibrous Scaffolds for Stable Lithium‐Metal Batteries

“…For a pristine condition, the different thicknesses of the SEI layers is attributable to fast and slow Li‐ion reaction flux kinetics. To minimize the thermodynamic driving force, the surface states of “lithiophobic” and “lithiophilic” determine the favorable deposition conditions 23,29,30,40. However, previous works have focused only on the surface states related to Li ions.…”

Key Aspects of Lithium Metal Anodes for Lithium Metal Batteries

“…f) Diagrammatic representation of the different parts of an interfacial layer; lithiophobic (top), carbon nanotube/zinc oxide (GZCNT) (middle), and lithiophilic (bottom). Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2018, Nature Publishing Group.…”