In-Situ Electrodeposition of Nanostructured Carbon Strengthened Interface for Stabilizing Lithium Metal Anode.

Lu, Gongxun; Nai, Jianwei; Yuan, Huadong; Wang, Juncheng; Zheng, Jianhui; Ju, Zhijin; Jin, Chengbin; Wang, Yao et al. · ACS Nano · 2022

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The lithium metal anode (LMA) is regarded as one of the most promising candidates for high-energy Li-ion batteries. However, the naturally formed solid electrolyte interface (SEI) is unsatisfied, which would cause continuous dendrite growth and thus prevent the practical application of the LMA. Herein, a stable electrolytic carbon-based hybrid (ECH) artificial SEI is constructed on the LMA via the in-situ electrodeposition of an electrolyte sovlent at ultrahigh voltage. This nanostructured carbon strengthened SEI exhibits much improved ionic conductivity and mechanical strength, which enables uniform Li<sup>+</sup> diffusion, stabilizes the interface between the electrolyte and lithium metal, and inhibits Li dendrite breeding and Li pulverization. With the protection of this ECH layer, the symmetrical cells show stable long-term cycling performance over 500 h with an ultrahigh plating capacity of 5 mAh cm<sup>-2</sup> at the current density of 5 mA cm<sup>-2</sup>. A full cell assembled with a Li[Ni<sub>0.8</sub>Co<sub>0.1</sub>Mn<sub>0.1</sub>]O<sub>2</sub> or LiFePO<sub>4</sub> cathode exhibits a long-term cycling life and excellent capacity retention.