Inherent Microstructural Engineering: Tailoring Amorphous-Nanocrystalline Composite Films via Ion Beam Technology for...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Lithium metal anodes face challenges due to dendrite growth and unstable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI).
• Interface engineering of current collectors (CCs) and lithium anodes offers a solution to improve stability.
• Developing stable interphases is critical for high-performance lithium metal batteries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer intrinsic microstructures of coatings for stable lithium metal anodes.
• To develop lithiophilic and kinetically favorable interlayers.
• To investigate the effect of ZnMgSn films on lithium plating and SEI formation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized ion beam deposition (IBD) to create ZnMgSn films with composite microstructures.
• Applied coatings to commercial copper (Cu) CCs and lithium foils.
• Characterized the artificial interphase and its effect on lithium plating and SEI formation.

Main Results:

• The ZnMgSn interphase demonstrated strong lithium adsorption and reduced lithium diffusion barriers, enabling uniform plating.
• A robust, bilayer SEI rich in LiF was formed in-situ, accommodating volume changes.
• The ZnMgSn@Cu CC symmetric cell achieved over 11000 hours of lifespan.
• Full cells showed 85.13% capacity retention after 130 cycles at 5C.
• Modified lithium anodes maintained over 80% capacity after 620 cycles at 1C.

Conclusions:

• Engineered ZnMgSn interphases provide an efficient strategy for stabilizing lithium metal anodes.
• Microscopic design principles for ideal lithium metal interphases were elucidated.
• This approach paves the way for practical and high-performance lithium metal batteries.