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Nature Research, Nature Communications, 1(7), 2016

DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10992

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Lithium-coated polymeric matrix as a minimum volume-change and dendrite-free lithium metal anode

Journal article published in 2016 by Yayuan Liu, Dingchang Lin, Zheng Liang ORCID, Jie Zhao, Kai Yan, Yi Cui
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

AbstractLithium metal is the ideal anode for the next generation of high-energy-density batteries. Nevertheless, dendrite growth, side reactions and infinite relative volume change have prevented it from practical applications. Here, we demonstrate a promising metallic lithium anode design by infusing molten lithium into a polymeric matrix. The electrospun polyimide employed is stable against highly reactive molten lithium and, via a conformal layer of zinc oxide coating to render the surface lithiophilic, molten lithium can be drawn into the matrix, affording a nano-porous lithium electrode. Importantly, the polymeric backbone enables uniform lithium stripping/plating, which successfully confines lithium within the matrix, realizing minimum volume change and effective dendrite suppression. The porous electrode reduces the effective current density; thus, flat voltage profiles and stable cycling of more than 100 cycles is achieved even at a high current density of 5 mA cm−2 in both carbonate and ether electrolyte. The advantages of the porous, polymeric matrix provide important insights into the design principles of lithium metal anodes.