Artificial Interphase Design Employing Inorganic–Organic Components for High-Energy Lithium-Metal Batteries
Yongil Kim, Dominik Stępień, Hyein Moon, Kay Schönherr, Benjamin Schumm, Matthias Kuenzel, Holger Althues, Dominic Bresser, Stefano Passerini
Abstract
To increase the energy density of today’s lithium batteries, it is necessary to develop an anode with higher energy density than graphite or carbon/silicon composites. Hence, research on metallic lithium has gained a steadily increasing momentum. However, the severe safety issues and poor Coulombic efficiency of this highly reactive metal hinder its practical application in lithium-metal batteries (LMBs). Herein, the development of an artificial interphase is reported to enhance the reversibility of the lithium stripping/plating process and suppress the parasitic reactions with the liquid organic carbonate-based electrolyte. This artificial interphase is spontaneously formed by an alloying reaction-based coating, forming a stable inorganic/organic hybrid interphase. The accordingly modified lithium-metal electrodes provide substantially improved cycle life to symmetric Li||Li cells and high-energy Li||LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 cells. For these LMBs, 7 μm thick lithium-metal electrodes have been employed while applying a current density of 1.0 mA cm –2, thus highlighting the great potential of this tailored interphase.