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Pre-Solid Electrolyte Interphase-Covered Li Metal Anode with Improved Electro-Chemo-Mechanical Reliability in
Xi Chen1, Mingwei Shang1, Junjie Niu1
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, CEAS, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|July 15, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a new artificial pre-SEI layer for lithium metal anodes, significantly improving battery cycling performance and Coulombic efficiency. This innovation enhances lithium-ion battery safety and energy density by stabilizing the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI).
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation on lithium metal anodes leads to mossy/dendritic growth and volume changes, causing poor cyclability in lithium metal-based batteries.
- Developing a reliable SEI layer is crucial for achieving high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a novel design of an artificial pre-SEI-covered lithium metal anode.
- To enhance the reliability of the SEI layer for uniform lithium plating/stripping and improved cycling performance.
Main Methods:
- A facile drop-coating process was employed to create an artificial pre-SEI layer on lithium metal.
- The pre-SEI layer utilizes an electron-isolated organic polymer matrix for elastic deformation and a metal-organic-salt (LiCN) for robust connection.
- Homogeneous distribution of inorganic compounds within the pre-SEI layer enhances ionic conductivity.
Main Results:
- The artificial pre-SEI-covered lithium metal exhibited uniform Li plating/stripping, leading to greatly increased cycling performance and high Coulombic efficiency in full-cell batteries.
- Full-cell batteries using the modified anode demonstrated a high capacity of 167.8 mA h g⁻¹ after 100 cycles (vs. LiNi₀.₈Co₀.₁₅Al₀.₀₅O₂) compared to 48.5 mA h g⁻¹ for bare Li foil.
- High capacity retention (>84.0%) and low Coulombic inefficiency (<0.71%) were achieved in pouch cells with lean electrolytes, indicating reduced electrolyte consumption and dead lithium formation.
Conclusions:
- The reinforced artificial pre-SEI layer provides a pathway to highly reliable and safe lithium metal electrodes.
- This approach enables significantly improved cycling performance and Coulombic efficiency in high-energy-density batteries.
- The design addresses key challenges in lithium metal battery technology, paving the way for advanced energy storage solutions.
