Three-Dimensional Ordered Macro/Mesoporous Cu/Zn as a Lithiophilic Current Collector for Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Anode
Duo Zhang, Alvin Dai, Binfeng Fan, Yingen Li, Kang Shen, Teng Xiao, Guangya Hou, Huazhen Cao, Xinyong Tao, Yiping Tang
Abstract
Li dendrites are considered as the primary cause for degradation and inevitable short circuit in lithium-metal batteries (LMBs). Although contemporary strategies have shown potential for addressing dendrite growth, none have achieved complete elimination. In this paper, a dendrite-free, three-dimensional, ordered, macro/mesoporous Cu/Zn current collector was prepared using a combination of simple colloidal crystal template and electrochemical method (electrodeposition and pulse plating). When paired with a hierarchically structured mesoporous (20–50 nm) and macroporous (450 nm) anode, this novel current collector achieved stable charge/discharge cycles of over 2000 h and a small plating/stripping potential (≈8 mV) at a current density of 0.2 mA cm–2. Coulombic efficiencies (CE) also reached 94.7% after 400 cycles. This three-dimensional, ordered, macro/mesoporous structure provides a greater specific surface area, reduces local current density, and contains a lithiophilic Zn coating that serves as preferred Li nucleation sites. By combining these factors, dendrite-free Li deposition and superior electrochemical performance improvements in LMBs have been realized.