An artificial interfacial layer with biomimetic ionic channels towards highly stable Li metal anodes

Li，Yiju1; Wang，Tianshuai3; Chen，Junjie2; Peng，Xudong2; Chen，Minghui2; Liu，Bin2; Mu，Yongbiao1; Zeng，Lin1; Zhao，Tianshou1

2023-07-15

10.1016/j.scib.2023.06.008

Science Bulletin   Impact Factor & Quartile

2095-9273

2095-9281

Lithium (Li) metal with low electrochemical potential and high theoretical capacity is a promising anode material for next-generation batteries. However, the low reversibility and safety problems caused by the notorious dendrite growth significantly impede the development of high-energy-density lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Here, to enable a dendrite-free and highly reversible Li metal anode (LMA), we develop a cytomembrane-inspired artificial layer (CAL) with biomimetic ionic channels using a scalable spread coating method. The negatively charged CAL with uniform intraparticle and interparticle ionic channels facilitates the Li-ion transport and redistributes the Li-ion flux, contributing to stable and homogeneous Li stripping and plating. Furthermore, a robust underneath transition layer with abundant lithiophilic inorganic components is in-situ formed through the transformation of CAL during cycling, which promotes Li-ion diffusion and suppresses the continuous side reactions with the electrolyte. Additionally, the resulting cytomembrane-inspired artificial Janus layer (CAJL) displays an ultrahigh Young's modulus (≥10.7 GPa) to inhibit the dendrite growth. Consequently, the CAJL-protected LMA (Li@CAJL) is stably cycled with a high areal capacity of 10 mAh cm at a high current density of 10 mA cm. More importantly, the effective CAJL modification realizes the stable operation of a practical 429.2 Wh kg lithium-sulfur (Li-S) pouch cell using a low electrolyte/sulfur (E/S) ratio of 3 μL mg. The facile yet effective protection strategy of LMAs can promote the practical application of LMBs.

Artificial interfacial layer Janus structure Lithium metal anode Lithium metal batteries Lithium-sulfur batteries

SCI

English

First ; Corresponding

Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China[T23 -601/17-R] ; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities[D5000220443]

Science & Technology - Other Topics

Multidisciplinary Sciences

WOS:001046888600001

ELSEVIER

2-s2.0-85163294108

Scopus

1.Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China
2.Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology,Hong Kong
3.School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering,Northwestern Polytechnical University,Xi'an,710129,China

Li，Yiju,Wang，Tianshuai,Chen，Junjie,et al. An artificial interfacial layer with biomimetic ionic channels towards highly stable Li metal anodes[J]. Science Bulletin,2023,68(13):1379-1388.

Li，Yiju.,Wang，Tianshuai.,Chen，Junjie.,Peng，Xudong.,Chen，Minghui.,...&Zhao，Tianshou.(2023).An artificial interfacial layer with biomimetic ionic channels towards highly stable Li metal anodes.Science Bulletin,68(13),1379-1388.

Li，Yiju,et al."An artificial interfacial layer with biomimetic ionic channels towards highly stable Li metal anodes".Science Bulletin 68.13(2023):1379-1388.