Uniform lithiophilic layers in 3D current collectors enable ultrastable solid electrolyte interphase for high-performance lithium metal batteries

Journal Article · Thu Mar 10 00:00:00 EST 2022 · Nano Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2022.107121· OSTI ID:1871885

Guo, Chi ^[1]; Guo, Yaqing ^[2]; Tao, Runming ^[3]; Liao, Xiaobin ^[2]; Du, Kang ^[1]; Zou, Huan ^[1]; Zhang, Wang ^[1]; Liang, Jiyuan ^[1]; Wang, Deyu ^[1]; Sun, Xiao-Guang ^[3]; Lu, Shih-Yuan ^[4]

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1. Jianghan Univ., Wuhan (China). Key Lab. of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices
2. Wuhan Univ. of Technology (China). State Key Lab. of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing
3. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
4. National Tsing Hua Univ., Hsinchu (Taiwan)

Uniform lithium plating/stripping during charging/discharging in 3D lithiophilic current collectors (3DLCC) is essential to suppress growth of lithium dendrites and to mitigate infinite volume variations of lithium metal for long-lived lithium metal batteries. Additionally, this study reveals the decisive role played by uniformity of the lithiophilic layer of the 3DLCC in achieving uniform lithium plating/stripping. Herein, a series of metal oxide-based 3DLCCs are successfully fabricated with a simple and an ultrafast solution combustion method, from which formation of a uniform and stable lithium dendrite-free solid electrolyte interphase via a uniform lithiophilic layer is demonstrated. Taking Co₃O₄ as the lithiophilic material deposited on a nickel foam as the 3DLCC (Co@NF) for a proof of concept, the loading amount of Co₃O₄, closely correlated with the uniformity of the Co₃O₄ layer, is modulated to optimize its lithium ion hosting performances. With a uniform Co₃O₄ layer grown in the 3DLCC, an ultralow nucleation overpotential of 33.4 mV is achieved in half-cell tests at 1 mA cm^-2 and 1 mAh cm^-2, and a high Coulombic efficiency of 97.1% is maintained after 210 cycles under a severe cycling condition of 2 mA cm^-2 and 1 mAh cm^-2. A small polarization voltage of 13 mV together with an ultralong cycle life of 2400 h at 0.5 mA cm^-2 and 1 mAh cm^-2 in symmetric Li cells is achieved. Moreover, the composite Li anode delivers sensational rate capability and cyclability in full-cells. This work not only provides new and valuable insights into the interphasial chemistry of solid electrolyte interphase layers, but also sheds light on the development of ultrastable lithium metal batteries.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan; National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division
• Grant/Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1871885
• Journal Information: Nano Energy, Journal Name: Nano Energy Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 96; ISSN 2211-2855
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
composite Li anode
lithiophilic current collector
lithium metal battery
solid electrolyte interface
uniform Li plating/stripping