A Lightweight 3D Cu Nanowire Network with Phosphidation Gradient as Current Collector for High‐Density Nucleation and Stable Deposition of Lithium. Issue 48 (24th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Chen; Lyu, Ruiyang; Lv, Wei; Li, Huan; Jiang, Wei; Li, Jia; Gu, Sichen; Zhou, Guangmin; Huang, Zhijia; Zhang, Yunbo; Wu, Junqiao; Yang, Quan‐Hong; Kang, Feiyu
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 31:Issue 48(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-09-24
• Subjects: current collector -- dendrite -- lithium deposition -- lithium metal anodes -- phosphidized Cu nanowire; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201904991
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract: Lithium metal anodes with high energy density are important for further development of next‐generation batteries. However, inhomogeneous Li deposition and dendrite growth hinder their practical utilization. 3D current collectors are widely investigated to suppress dendrite growth, but they usually occupy a large volume and increase the weight of the system, hence decreasing the energy density. Additionally, the nonuniform distribution of Li ions results in low utilization of the porous structure. A lightweight, 3D Cu nanowire current collector with a phosphidation gradient is reported to balance the lithiophilicity with conductivity of the electrode. The phosphide gradient with good lithiophilicity and high ionic conductivity enables dense nucleation of Li and its steady deposition in the porous structure, realizing a high pore utilization. Specifically, the homogenous deposition of Li leads to the formation of an oriented texture on the electrode surface at high capacities. A high mass loading (≈44 wt%) of Li with a capacity of 3 mAh cm −2 and a high average Coulombic efficiency of 97.3% are achieved. A lifespan of 300 h in a symmetrical cell is obtained at 2 mA cm −2, implying great potential to stabilize lithium metal. Abstract : A lightweight three‐dimensional (3D) Cu nanowire network with a lithiophilic phosphidation gradient along the cross‐section is used as the current collector for a Li‐metal anode. The gradient structure and the formed Li3 P‐rich surface with good ionic/electrical conductivity guide the stable deposition of Li ions inside the 3D structure, improving the Li mass loading and the energy density of the anode.