3D Artificial Solid-Electrolyte Interphase for Lithium Metal Anodes Enabled by Insulator-Metal-Insulator Layered...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Battery Technology

Background:

• Lithium metal anodes are crucial for high-energy-density batteries but suffer from dendrite growth and side reactions.
• Existing strategies for stable lithium metal anodes, particularly using solid-electrolyte interphases (SEI), face significant challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel 3D artificial SEI for stable lithium metal anodes.
• To prevent lithium dendrite formation and electrolyte side reactions in lithium-metal batteries.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a 3D architecture using g-C3N4/graphene/g-C3N4 insulator-metal-insulator sandwiched nanosheets.
• Utilizing the van der Waals gap for uniform lithium plating and stripping.
• Investigating the role of g-C3N4 as an insulating layer with lithiophilic sites and nanopore channels.

Main Results:

• Achieved uniform lithium plating and stripping within the designed 3D architecture.
• Successfully suppressed lithium deposition on the g-C3N4 surface.
• Demonstrated long-term lithium deposition with high Coulombic efficiency and stable full-cell cycling under demanding conditions (high cathode loading, limited Li excess, lean electrolyte).

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D artificial SEI effectively prevents lithium dendrite growth and electrolyte side reactions.
• This approach offers a promising strategy for creating safe and stable lithium metal anodes for advanced batteries.