High Mass Loading of Edge-Exposed Cu

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Lithium (Li) dendrites and volume expansion impede the development of advanced Li metal batteries.
• Controlling Li nucleation and dendrite growth requires 3D hosts and lithiophilic materials.
• Regulating the surface structure of lithiophilic crystals is crucial for next-generation Li-metal batteries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly efficient 3D lithium host for advanced Li metal batteries.
• To control Li nucleation and dendrite growth using a novel material.
• To enhance the cycling stability and performance of Li metal batteries.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of exposed-edged Cu3P faceted nanoparticles anchored along interlaced carbon nanofibers (ECP@CNF).
• Utilizing the 3D ECP@CNF structure to accommodate volume expansion and guide Li deposition.
• Characterization of ECP@CNF/Li symmetric cells and ECP@CNF/Li∥LiFePO4 full cells under various conditions.

Main Results:

• ECP@CNF effectively accommodates volume expansion via its 3D carbon skeleton.
• The (300)-dominant Cu3P facets promote uniform Li nucleation and reduce polarization.
• Symmetric cells show stable cycling for 500 h (10 mA cm-2, 60% depth of discharge) with 32.8 mV hysteresis.
• Full cells achieve 650 cycles at 1 C with 92% capacity retention and stable cycling with limited Li.

Conclusions:

• ECP@CNF serves as a highly efficient 3D Li host, significantly improving Li metal battery performance.
• The material's unique structure and composition enable uniform Li plating and stripping.
• This work offers insights into constructing high-performance Li-metal batteries under demanding conditions.