Accommodating lithium into 3D current collectors with a submicron skeleton towards long-life lithium metal anodes

TLDR

Lithium metal is a highly attractive anode material, but dendrite growth during deposition causes low Coulombic efficiency and safety concerns, limiting its use in rechargeable batteries. The study aims to demonstrate that a 3D current collector with a submicron skeleton and high electroactive surface area can significantly improve Li deposition. The authors use a 3D current collector featuring a submicron skeleton and high electroactive surface area to enhance Li deposition. The 3D current collector suppresses dendrite growth, allowing a Li anode to operate for 600 h without short circuit, with low voltage hysteresis, demonstrating exceptional performance and a promising route to long‑lived Li‑metal anodes.

Abstract

Abstract Lithium metal is one of the most attractive anode materials for electrochemical energy storage. However, the growth of Li dendrites during electrochemical deposition, which leads to a low Coulombic efficiency and safety concerns, has long hindered the application of rechargeable Li-metal batteries. Here we show that a 3D current collector with a submicron skeleton and high electroactive surface area can significantly improve the electrochemical deposition behaviour of Li. Li anode is accommodated in the 3D structure without uncontrollable Li dendrites. With the growth of Li dendrites being effectively suppressed, the Li anode in the 3D current collector can run for 600 h without short circuit and exhibits low voltage hysteresis. The exceptional electrochemical performance of the Li-metal anode in the 3D current collector highlights the importance of rational design of current collectors and reveals a new avenue for developing Li anodes with a long lifespan.