Three-Dimensional Ordered Macro/Mesoporous Cu/Zn as a Lithiophilic Current Collector for Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Anode

Abstract

Li dendrites are considered as the primary cause for degradation and inevitable short circuit in lithium-metal batteries (LMBs). Although contemporary strategies have shown potential for addressing dendrite growth, none have achieved complete elimination. In this paper, a dendrite-free, three-dimensional, ordered, macro/mesoporous Cu/Zn current collector was prepared using a combination of simple colloidal crystal template and electrochemical method (electrodeposition and pulse plating). When paired with a hierarchically structured mesoporous (20–50 nm) and macroporous (450 nm) anode, this novel current collector achieved stable charge/discharge cycles of over 2000 h and a small plating/stripping potential (≈8 mV) at a current density of 0.2 mA cm–2. Coulombic efficiencies (CE) also reached 94.7% after 400 cycles. This three-dimensional, ordered, macro/mesoporous structure provides a greater specific surface area, reduces local current density, and contains a lithiophilic Zn coating that serves as preferred Li nucleation sites. By combining these factors, dendrite-free Li deposition and superior electrochemical performance improvements in LMBs have been realized.