Dendrite‐Free Lithium Deposition via Flexible‐Rigid Coupling Composite Network for LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4/Li Metal Batteries. Issue 37 (22nd August 2018) - Chai, Jingchao
Abstract: Notorious lithium dendrite causes severe capacity fade and harsh safety issues of lithium metal batteries, which hinder the practical applications of lithium metal electrodes in higher energy rechargeable batteries. Here, a kind of 3D‐cross‐linked composite network is successfully employed as a flexible‐rigid coupling protective layer on a lithium metal electrode. During the plating/stripping process, the composite protective layer would enable uniform distribution of lithium ions in the adjacent regions of the lithium electrode, resulting in a dendrite‐free deposition at a current density of 2 mA cm −2 . The LiNi0.5 Mn1.5 O4 ‐based lithium metal battery presents an excellent cycling stability at a voltage range of 3.5–5.0 V with the induction of 3D‐cross‐linked composite protective layer. From an industrial field application of view, thin lithium metal electrodes (40 µm, with 4 times excess lithium) can be used in LiNi0.5 Mn1.5 O4 (with industrially significant loading of 18 mg cm −2 and 2.6 mAh cm −2 )‐based lithium metal batteries, which reveals a promising opportunity for practical applicability in high energy lithium metal batteries. Abstract : A key factor that limits the direct utilization of lithium metal electrode as the anode is short circuit induced by uncontrollable lithium dendrites. Here, a 3D‐cross‐linked composite network is developed as smart protective layer on lithium metal electrode, which enables LiNi0.5 Mn1.5 O4 ‐based lithium metal battery a stable cycle life with a high discharge capacity.