Universal rapid Joule carbothermal synthesis of flexible carbon/metal oxide lithiophilic membranes for high-performance lithium metal batteries

Abstract

Surface engineering of carbon materials induces structural modulation with appealing functionalities for versatile applications. However, practical deployment demands simplified modification steps and time-saving operations. Microwave technology can produce a strong instant magnetic-heating effect, avoiding the presence of a temperature gradient to cause nanoparticle agglomeration and multiple synthesis stages. Herein, we propose a rapid Joule carbothermal synthesis of a 3D flexible carbon cloth with ultrasmall metal oxide nanoparticles (MOx@CC) upon microwave irradiation within several minutes. Owing to the extensive selection of metal precursors, this approach can be applied to achieve a variety of active metal oxide nanoparticles decorated on carbon cloth. Furthermore, the modified carbon cloth can serve as a lithiophilic framework to efficiently homogenize Li+ flux and mitigate the dendrite formation. Ascribed to these merits, a prototype of the prelithiation MOx@CC anode paired with the LiFePO4 cathode exhibits satisfactory performance upon repetitive cycling, highlighting the possibility for a safe battery system.