Diffusion of Carbon Quantum Dots on Lithium Liquid Metal for Artificial SEI

Abstract

The unstable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formed on the surface of Li metal can induce dendrite growth, resulting in capacity fading, battery short circuit, and other problems, thus hindering the practical application of Li metal battery. In order to obtain stable and effective SEI, it is an effective strategy to construct an ideal artificial SEI (ASEI) by regulating the composition and structure of the interface. Among the inorganic materials used in the construction of ASEI, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) stand out as promising material due to their small size and abundant active sites. Herein, benefiting from the fluidity, surface smoothness, and high reactivity of liquid metal, combined with the use of N‐doped CQDs as dispersing particles, a surface modification method to achieve uniform dispersion of particles within the liquid metal is proposed. This technique offers a low‐cost solution for achieving uniform dispersion of little quantities of N‐doped CQDs (single dose < 0.1 mg cm−2) while ensuring enhanced interface adhesion to realize the construction of dense, strong and uniform ASEI. The corresponding symmetrical cells show lower voltage polarization and outstanding cycling stability than the bare Li electrode.