Lithiophilic Cu-CuO-Ni Hybrid Structure: Advanced Current Collectors Toward Stable Lithium Metal Anodes

Shuilin Wu, Zhenyu Zhang, Minhuan Lan, Shaoran Yang, Junye Cheng, Junjie Cai, Jianhua Shen, Ying Zhu, Kaili Zhang*, Wenjun Zhang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

277 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Metallic lithium (Li) is a promising anode material for next-generation rechargeable batteries. However, the dendrite growth of Li and repeated formation of solid electrolyte interface during Li plating and stripping result in low Coulombic efficiency, internal short circuits, and capacity decay, hampering its practical application. In the development of stable Li metal anode, the current collector is recognized as a critical component to regulate Li plating. In this work, a lithiophilic Cu-CuO-Ni hybrid structure is synthesized as a current collector for Li metal anodes. The low overpotential of CuO for Li nucleation and the uniform Li+ ion flux induced by the formation of Cu nanowire arrays enable effective suppression of the growth of Li dendrites. Moreover, the surface Cu layer can act as a protective layer to enhance structural durability of the hybrid structure in long-term running. As a result, the Cu-CuO-Ni hybrid structure achieves a Coulombic efficiency above 95% for more than 250 cycles at a current density of 1 mA cm−2 and 580 h (290 cycles) stable repeated Li plating and stripping in a symmetric cell.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1705830
JournalAdvanced Materials
Volume30
Issue number9
Online published12 Jan 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2018

Research Keywords

  • lithiophilic materials
  • lithium metal anodes
  • lithium nucleation overpotential

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