Dual‐Layered Film Protected Lithium Metal Anode to Enable Dendrite‐Free Lithium Deposition

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) Vol. 30; no. 25; pp. e1707629 - n/a
• Main Authors: Yan, Chong, Cheng, Xin‐Bing, Tian, Yang, Chen, Xiang, Zhang, Xue‐Qiang, Li, Wen‐Jun, Huang, Jia‐Qi, Zhang, Qiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.06.2018
• Subjects: Anodes; Anodic protection; Batteries; dendrite‐free electrode; Dendritic structure; Deposition; Energy storage; fluoroethylene carbonate; Lithium; Lithium batteries; Lithium fluoride; lithium metal anode; Protective coatings; Rechargeable batteries; Storage systems; Thermal runaway; lithium fluoride; lithium metal anode; fluoroethylene carbonate; dendrite-free electrode; rechargeable batteries
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201707629

Lithium metal batteries (such as lithium–sulfur, lithium–air, solid state batteries with lithium metal anode) are highly considered as promising candidates for next‐generation energy storage systems. However, the unstable interfaces between lithium anode and electrolyte definitely induce the undesired and uncontrollable growth of lithium dendrites, which results in the short‐circuit and thermal runaway of the rechargeable batteries. Herein, a dual‐layered film is built on a Li metal anode by the immersion of lithium plates into the fluoroethylene carbonate solvent. The ionic conductive film exhibits a compact dual‐layered feature with organic components (ROCO2Li and ROLi) on the top and abundant inorganic components (Li2CO3 and LiF) in the bottom. The dual‐layered interface can protect the Li metal anode from the corrosion of electrolytes and regulate the uniform deposition of Li to achieve a dendrite‐free Li metal anode. This work demonstrates the concept of rational construction of dual‐layered structured interfaces for safe rechargeable batteries through facile surface modification of Li metal anodes. This not only is critically helpful to comprehensively understand the functional mechanism of fluoroethylene carbonate but also affords a facile and efficient method to protect Li metal anodes. A dual‐layered film is obtained on a Li metal anode by spontaneous chemical reaction between lithium plates and fluoroethylene carbonate solvents. Such film can protect the Li metal anodes from the corrosion of electrolytes and regulate the uniform deposition of Li to achieve a dendrite‐free Li metal anode.