Mitigating Concentration Polarization through Acid-Base Interaction Effects for Long-Cycling Lithium Metal Anodes.

Du, Junmou; Duan, Xiangrui; Wang, Wenyu; Li, Guocheng; Li, Chunhao; Tan, Yuchen; Wan, Mintao; Seh, Zhi Wei et al. · Nano Lett · 2023

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Lithium (Li) metal has attracted great attention as a promising high-capacity anode material for next-generation high-energy-density rechargeable batteries. Nonuniform Li<sup>+</sup> transport and uneven Li plating/stripping behavior are two key factors that deteriorate the electrochemical performance. In this work, we propose an interphase acid-base interaction effect that could regulate Li plating/stripping behavior and stabilize the Li metal anode. ZSM-5, a class of zeolites with ordered nanochannels and abundant acid sites, was employed as a functional interface layer to facilitate Li<sup>+</sup> transport and mitigate the cell concentration polarization. As a demonstration, a pouch cell with a high-areal-capacity LiNi<sub>0.95</sub>Co<sub>0.02</sub>Mn<sub>0.03</sub>O<sub>2</sub> cathode (3.7 mAh cm<sup>-2</sup>) and a ZSM-5 modified thin lithium anode (50 μm) delivered impressive electrochemical performance, showing 92% capacity retention in 100 cycles (375.7 mAh). This work reveals the effect of acid-base interaction on regulating lithium plating/stripping behaviors, which could be extended to developing other high-performance alkali metal anodes.