Ionic Conductive and Highly‐Stable Interface for Alkali Metal Anodes

Abstract

Alkali metals are regarded as the most promising candidates for advanced anode for the next‐generation batteries due to their high specific capacity, low electrochemical potential, and lightweight. However, critical problems of the alkali metal anodes, especially dendrite formation and interface stabilization, remain challenging to overcome. The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is a key factor affecting Li and Na deposition behavior and electrochemical performances. Herein, a facile and universal approach is successfully developed to fabricate ionic conductive interfaces for Li and Na metal anodes by modified atomic layer deposition (ALD). In this process, the Li metal (or Na metal) plays the role of Li (or Na) source without any additional Li (or Na) precursor during ALD. Moreover, the key questions about the influence of ALD deposition temperature on the compositions and structure of the coatings are addressed. The optimized ionic conductive coatings have significantly improved the electrochemical performances. In addition, the electrochemical phase‐field model is performed to prove that the ionic conductive coating is very effective in promoting uniform electrodeposition. This approach is universal and can be potentially applied to other different metal anodes. At the same time, it can be extended to other types of coatings or other deposition techniques.

Prolonging the cycling lifetime of lithium metal batteries with a monolithic and inorganic-rich solid electrolyte interphase

“…[1][2][3][4] However, the development of lithium metal batteries (LMBs) has been seriously hindered by dendrite-related safety issues, deriving from an inhomogeneous solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formed on the surface of the LMA. 5 Various strategies, such as developing highly concentrated electrolytes, 6 or locally concentrated electrolytes, 7 exploring advanced fluorinated ether solvents, 8 synthesizing fluorinated or nitrite salts, 9,10 using dual-or multi-additives, 11 fabricating artificial SEI layers [12][13][14][15][16] and so on, have been proposed to improve the batteries' performance and explore the relationship between the SEI properties and electrochemical performance of the LMA. The consensus is that an inorganic-rich SEI displays a low electroconductivity but a suitable Li + ionic conductivity, enabling efficient de-solvation and uniform Li + diffusion through the SEI layer.…”

From Nanoalloy to Nano‐Laminated Interfaces for Highly Stable Alkali‐Metal Anodes

“…As reported in the literature, the main peak for the Al K edge for Al 2 O 3 at 1564.7 eV is assigned to transitions from the Al 1s orbitals into Al 3p and O 2p antibonding orbitals of t1u symmetry. [ 18 ] In the spectrum for the different compositions, this main peak slightly shifts to the low energy of 1564.4 eV. However, the peaks remain in the same position for the alloy structure (Li@(2ALD‐2MLD)25) and the nano‐laminated structure (Li@(10ALD‐10MLD)5), as shown in Figure S11a (Supporting Information).…”

A review on “Growth mechanisms and optimization strategies for the interface state of solid‐state lithium‐ion batteries”

“…Many models have been established to simulate the growth mechanism of lithium dendrites. 91,[103][104][105] Lithium dendrites are a kind of dendrite formed in the off equilibrium state. Various studies have shown that current density and operating temperature have a great influence on the growth of lithium dendrites.…”