Dual-Phase Single-Ion Pathway Interfaces for Robust Lithium Metal in Working Batteries

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Battery Technology

Background:

• Lithium (Li) metal anodes face significant interfacial challenges, including low cycling efficiency, dendrite formation, and safety concerns, hindering their practical application.
• Unstable interfaces lead to non-uniform ionic and electric fields, exacerbating degradation during battery operation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer a robust artificial protective layer for lithium metal anodes that addresses interfacial instability.
• To achieve a spatially homogeneous ionic and electric field distribution for enhanced anode protection.
• To improve the cycling efficiency and safety of lithium metal batteries.

Main Methods:

• Construction of a dual-phase artificial interface by integrating a garnet Al-doped Li6.75La3Zr1.75Ta0.25O12 bottom layer and a lithiated Nafion top layer.
• Characterization of the artificial solid electrolyte interphase for single-ion conductivity, mechanical rigidity, and deformability.
• Evaluation of the interface's performance in stabilizing lithium metal anodes during charging/discharging cycles.

Main Results:

• The dual-phase interface exhibits single-ion conductivity, high mechanical rigidity, and considerable deformability.
• The artificial solid electrolyte interphase effectively stabilizes the charging/discharging process by facilitating Li-ion transport and promoting compact Li plating.
• Demonstrated significant improvement in coulombic efficiency and cyclability of lithium metal batteries.

Conclusions:

• The rational design of artificial protective layers is crucial for stabilizing lithium metal anodes.
• The developed dual-phase interface provides a promising strategy for achieving dendrite-free lithium deposition and enhancing battery performance.
• This work offers valuable insights into interfacial engineering for advanced lithium metal batteries.