Free-standing 3D nitrogen–carbon anchored Cu nanorod arrays: in situ derivation from a metal–organic framework and strategy to stabilize lithium metal anodes. Issue 3 (23rd December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yin, Dongming; Huang, Gang; Wang, Shaohua; Yuan, Dongxia; Wang, Xuxu; Li, Qian; Sun, Qujiang; Xue, Hongjin; Wang, Limin; Ming, Jun
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 8:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 1425
• Page End: 1431
• Publication Date: 2019-12-23
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c9ta10772j
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : A free-standing and integrated 3D nitrogen–carbon co-doped Cu nanorod arrays (3D NC/Cu) as a completely new current collector is in situ derived from the metal–organic framework (MOF) and can effectively address dendrite issues for lithium batteries. Abstract : Lithium (Li)-metal is considered to be the most promising candidate as an anode to design higher energy density lithium batteries because of its extremely high specific capacity (3860 mA h g −1 ) and lowest redox potential (−3.04 V vs. SHE). However, the safety concerns of lithium dendrites, low coulombic efficiency, and infinite volume variation remain challenging for practical applications. Herein, a free-standing 3D nitrogen–carbon anchored Cu nanorod array (NC/Cu) as a new current collector is introduced. It was in situ derived from a metal–organic framework (MOF) and could allow the dendrite-free deposition of the lithium metal. Benefiting from the uniqueness of the hetero-atom compositions and the 3D structure, the NC/Cu displayed much lower interfacial resistance and more stable Li plating/stripping behaviors compared to those of the planar Cu foil. A coulombic efficiency higher than 97% and long cycle life over 200 cycles were finely achieved with the specific capacity of 2.0 and 1.0 mA h cm −2, respectively. The merit of NC/Cu was further demonstrated in the lithium batteries versus the LiFePO4 cathode, where the cycle ability and electrochemical performances were significantly boosted. This study opens a new avenue to stabilize lithium metal anodes from the unique derivations of MOFs and more relevant researches on lithium metal chemistries deserve to be explored.