Uniform Deposition of Li-Metal Anodes Guided by 3D Current Collectors with In Situ Modification of the Lithiophilic Matrix

Abstract

The lithium (Li)-metal anode is deemed as the "holy gray" of the next-generation Li-metal system because of its high theoretical specific capacity, minimal energy density, and lowest standard electrode potential. Nevertheless, its commercial application has been limited by the large volume variation during charge and discharge, the unstable interface between the Li metal and electrolyte, and uneven deposition of Li. Herein, we present a 3D host (Cu) with lithiophilic matrix (CuO and SnO₂) in situ modification via a facile ammonia oxidation method to serve as a current collector for the Li-metal anode. The 3D Cu host embellished by CuO and SnO₂ is abbreviated as 3D CSCC. By increasing interfacial activity, lowering the nucleation barrier, and accommodating changes in volume of the Li metal, the 3D CSCC electrode effectively demonstrates a homogeneous and dendrite-free deposition morphology with an excellent cycling performance up to 3000 h at a 1.0 mA cm^-2 current density. Additionally, the full cells paired with Li@3D CSCC anodes and LiCoO₂ cathodes show good capacity retention performance at 0.2 C.