MXene-BN-Introduced Artificial SEI to Inhibit Dendrite Growth of Lithium Metal Batteries

Lithiophilic substrates have been shown to improve the electrochemical performance of lithium metal anodes. The MXene-BN/Cu 3D current collector was prepared by a filtration method. The artificial solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer composed of Li₃N and LiF was formed on the surface of MXene-BN/Cu during the Li deposition process. Volume changes can be effectively relieved by this special 3D structure. The artificial SEI film reduced the critical dendrite growth length, inhibited Li dendrite growth, and stabilized the electrochemical cycle. MXene-BN/Cu exhibited highly reversible cycling properties during lithium metal deposition with a high Coulombic efficiency of ∼ 98.0% over 500 cycles. Furthermore, LiBH₄ was produced during the Li deposition process. This study presents a promising strategy for developing dendrite-free Li anodes for use in lithium metal batteries.