Strategic Inorganic-Rich Hybrid Layer Designs for Superior Charge Transport Kinetics in Stabilizing 3D Lithium Metal...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Lithium metal anodes (LMAs) offer high energy density but face challenges like dendrite formation and unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers, limiting their practical use.
• Efficient regulation of lithium-ion diffusion and electron transport is critical for overcoming these limitations and improving LMA performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an inorganic-rich hybrid layer-coated carbon framework (IHL@CF) as a 3D lithiophilic host.
• To stabilize and optimize the SEI layer for enhanced lithium metal anode performance.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a 3D lithiophilic host (IHL@CF) with an outer inorganic-rich hybrid layer (AgLi alloys, Li₂S/LiF) and an inner hard carbon layer.
• Evaluation of the IHL@CF's performance in stabilizing the SEI layer, promoting uniform lithium deposition, and suppressing dendrite growth.
• Testing of symmetrical cells for long-term cyclability and full cells for capacity retention.

Main Results:

• The IHL@CF promotes uniform lithium deposition and suppresses dendrite growth due to its outer inorganic-rich hybrid layer.
• The inner hard carbon layer enhances lithium-ion adsorption and intercalation, maintaining the framework's integrity.
• The developed material demonstrated long-term cyclability in symmetrical cells and high capacity retention in full cells.

Conclusions:

• The IHL@CF effectively stabilizes the SEI layer and improves lithium metal anode performance.
• This multilayer structure design offers a promising strategy for developing dendrite-free lithium metal anodes.
• The findings provide valuable insights for integrating artificial SEI layers with lithiophilic 3D hosts for advanced batteries.