Nature Communications (Nov 2024)

Macroscopically uniform interface layer with Li+ conductive channels for high-performance Li metal batteries

  • Qian Chen,
  • Binyin Gao,
  • Zhilin Yang,
  • Yong Li,
  • QingWei Zhai,
  • Yangyu Jia,
  • Qiannan Zhang,
  • Xiaokang Gu,
  • Jinghan Zuo,
  • Lei Wang,
  • Tianshuai Wang,
  • Pengbo Zhai,
  • Cheng Yang,
  • Yongji Gong

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54310-1
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract The numerous grainboundaries solid electrolyte interface, whether naturally occurring or artificially designed, leads to non-uniform Li metal deposition and consequently results in poor full-battery performance. Herein, a lithium-ion selective transport layer is reported to achieve a highly efficient and dendrite-free lithium metal anode. The layer-by-layer assembled protonated carbon nitride nanosheets present uniform macroscopical structure without grainboundaries. The carbon nitride with ordered pores in basal plane provides high-speed lithium-ion transport channels with low tortuosity. Consequently, the assembled 324 Wh kg−1 pouch cell exhibits 300 stable cycles with a capacity retention of 90.0% and an average Coulombic efficiency up to 99.7%. The ultra-dense Li metal anode makes current collector-free anode possible, achieving high energy density and long cycle life of a 7 Ah cell (506 Wh kg−1, 160 cycles). Thus, it is proved that a macroscopically uniform interface layer with lithium-ion conductive channels could achieve Li metal battery with promising application potential.