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Designing Lithophilic Interfaces for Robust Anode-Free Lithium Metal Batteries
Rizwan Ur Rehman Sagar1, Muhammad Waseem Fazal1, Artur Durajski2
1Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia.
Nano Letters
|June 27, 2025
Summary
Engineered copper current collectors with a unique etched surface promote uniform lithium plating in anode-free lithium metal batteries. This surface modification enhances battery cycling life and stability by preventing dendrite formation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Anode-free lithium metal batteries (ALMBs) are promising for high energy density storage.
- Uniform lithium plating and stripping on the current collector are critical for ALMB performance and safety.
- Copper (Cu) is a common current collector material, but requires surface modification for optimal lithium metal deposition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a lithophilic copper current collector surface for ALMBs.
- To investigate the effect of surface etching on lithium plating behavior.
- To evaluate the electrochemical performance and cycling stability of ALMBs with the modified current collector.
Main Methods:
- Surface etching of copper foil to create a rough texture.
- Characterization of the etched copper surface.
- Assembly and electrochemical testing of full-cell ALMBs using the etched-Cu current collector.
- Analysis of lithium plating/stripping behavior and solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation.
Main Results:
- The etched copper surface exhibited a significantly higher binding energy for lithium, acting as effective lithium cages.
- Stable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer formation was confirmed on the lithophilic Cu-surface.
- Full cells with the etched-Cu current collector demonstrated stable performance over 500 cycles.
- An average Coulombic efficiency (CE) of approximately 96% was achieved, indicating excellent reversibility.
Conclusions:
- Surface engineering of copper current collectors via etching is a viable strategy to achieve uniform lithium deposition in ALMBs.
- The developed lithophilic surface effectively suppresses lithium dendrite formation, enhancing battery safety and longevity.
- The etched-Cu current collector enables high-performance and long-cycling anode-free lithium metal batteries.
