An artificial hybrid interphase for an ultrahigh-rate and practical lithium metal anode

Author(s): Anjun Hu ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ , Wei Chen ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ , Xinchuan Du ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ , Yin Hu ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ ^, ⁵ , Tianyu Lei ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ , Hongbo Wang ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ , Lanxin Xue ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ , Yaoyao Li ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ , He Sun ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ , Yichao Yan ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ , Jianping Long ⁶ ^, ⁷ ^, ⁸ ^, ⁴ , Chaozhu Shu ⁶ ^, ⁷ ^, ⁸ ^, ⁴ , Jun Zhu ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ , Baihai Li ⁵ ^, ² ^, ⁹ ^, ⁴ , Xianfu Wang ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ , Jie Xiong ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴

Publication date (Electronic): 2021

Journal: Energy & Environmental Science

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

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Abstract

The present work theoretically and experimentally provides an insight into the internal mechanism of Li ⁺ transport within an artificial hybrid SEI layer consisting of lithium-antimony (Li ₃Sb) alloy and lithium fluoride (LiF).

Abstract

The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer is pivotal for stable lithium (Li) metal batteries especially under a high rate. However, the mechanism of Li ⁺ transport through the SEI has not been clearly elucidated to build robust Li anodes for practical Li metal batteries. Herein, an artificial hybrid SEI layer consisting of lithium-antimony (Li ₃Sb) alloy and lithium fluoride (LiF) is constructed to explore the ion diffusion behaviors within the SEI. As evidenced theoretically and experimentally, Li ₃Sb is identified as a superionic conductor for Li ⁺ transport and as an interfacial stabilizer for the SEI layer while the LiF component with superior electron-blocking capability reduces the electron tunneling from the Li anode into the SEI, resulting in uniform dendrite-free Li deposition at the SEI/Li interface and stable Li plating/stripping behaviors at an ultrahigh rate of 20 mA cm ⁻². A practical 325.28 W h kg ⁻¹ pouch cell is well demonstrated under a high sulfur loading of 6 mg cm ⁻² and a low electrolyte/sulfur ratio of 3 μl mg ⁻¹. This work uncovers the internal mechanism of Li ⁺ transport within the SEI component, and provides an avenue to stabilize the Li anode under practical high-rate conditions.