Single-ion conducting interlayers for improved lithium metal plating
Jiajia Wan, Xu Liu, Thomas Diemant, Mintao Wan, Stefano Passerini, Elie Paillard
Abstract
Li metal batteries have attracted much attention due to their superior theoretical capacity with respect to conventional Li-ion batteries. However, safety issues caused by inhomogeneous stripping/plating and serious dendrite growth greatly limit their commercial application. Herein, we report on the preparation of single-ion conducting artificial solid electrolyte interphases (art-SEIs) on the surface of Li metal, to improve lithium metal confinement and current density homogeneity, while limiting lithium depletion at the Li/electrolyte interface during charge. Considerable improvements in terms of the Li anode life cycle are reported by combining the art-SEIs and liquid ether electrolytes, although the use of liquid electrolytes and separators still limits the anode performance. Finally, the combined use of a polyethylene oxide single-ion conducting solid polymer electrolyte and the stiff and ionically concentrated single-ion art-SEI enables Li metal long-term cycling.