Fe₃O₄-PVDF Composite Network for Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Batteries

Dendrite growth has been the main trouble preventing the practical application of Li metal anodes. Herein, we present how an Fe₃O₄-PVDF composite network prepared by using electrospinning has been designed to protect lithium metal anodes effectively. In the symmetrical cells test, the cell with the Fe₃O₄-PVDF composite network maintains good cycle performance after 600 h (500 cycles) at a current density of 1 mA cm^-2 and a plating/stripping capacity of 1 mAh cm^-2. The bulky Li dendrite is suppressed and a uniform Li deposition remains after long cycling. The characteristics of this engineered separator are further demonstrated in Li-S full cells with a good cycle performance (capacity of 419 mAh g^-1 after 300 cycles at 0.5 C). This work provides a new idea for the protection of lithium metal anodes.