Uniform lithium plating within 3D Cu foam enabled by Ag nanoparticles. (20th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Zi-Wei; Wang, Zhen-Yu; Liu, Sheng; Li, Guo-Ran; Gao, Xue-Ping
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 379(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05-20
• Subjects: Lithium anode -- Cu foam -- Li-Ag alloy -- Uniform lithium plating; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.138152
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Research highlights: A dimensionally stable composite Li anode is fabricated by using Ag-modified Cu foam. The composite Li anode shows bulk and microstructural stability, but interface instability. Uniform and large-capacity lithium plating within Ag-modified Cu foam is achieved. Abstract: Lithium metal is recognized as the "Holy Grail" of anode materials for high-energy-density batteries. However, the application of the lithium anode is seriously hindered due to its instability especially during the large-capacity lithium stripping/plating process. In this study, a dimensionally stable Li composite electrode is fabricated by electrodepositing lithium on Ag-modified Cu foam. The Li-Ag alloy formed during the initial plating shows micro-structural affinity to lithium and promotes the subsequent uniform Li stripping/plating on the Cu skeleton. The symmetric cell with Li/Ag-modified Cu composite electrode shows much-improved stability as compared to both the Li/3D Cu composite and Li plate electrodes. By investigating the electrochemical performance of the full cells with Li4 Ti5 O12 cathode, we find the interface stability of the Li composite electrode is deteriorated because of the increase of specific surface area. This work indicates that both dimensional and interface stabilities of lithium anodes are important for fabricating practical secondary lithium batteries. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract