A Rational-Designed Interlayer for Anode-Free Lithium-Metal Batteries

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Anode-free lithium metal batteries (AFLMBs) offer high energy density but suffer from inhomogeneous lithium deposition, leading to dendrites and limited cycle life.
• The active lithium inventory in AFLMBs is often insufficient, further restricting their long-term performance and practical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and investigate a novel mixed ion/electron conductive interlayer for stabilizing lithium deposition in AFLMBs.
• To enhance the cycle life and high current deposition stability of AFLMBs through a facile interlayer strategy.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a mixed ion/electron conductive interlayer (SNAF) comprising Si nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes (CNT), lithium polyacrylic acid (PAALi), and LiF.
• Characterization of lithium deposition behavior and electrochemical performance of AFLMBs with the SNAF interlayer.

Main Results:

• The SNAF interlayer ensured lithium deposition thickness close to the theoretical value, even at high capacities up to 10 mAh cm⁻².
• AFLMBs with the SNAF interlayer demonstrated stable operation under high current densities of 4.29 mA cm⁻².
• The interlayer effectively reduced irreversible active lithium loss by acting as an artificial solid electrolyte interphase (ASEI).

Conclusions:

• The developed SNAF interlayer significantly improves lithium deposition uniformity and stability in AFLMBs.
• This strategy enhances the cycle life and high-current performance of anode-free lithium metal batteries.
• The facile interlayer approach holds promise for advancing the development of high-performance AFLMBs.