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Lithium Silicide Surface Enrichment: A Solution to Lithium Metal Battery |
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| Authors: | Wei Tang Xuesong Yin Sujin Kang Zhongxin Chen Bingbing Tian Siew Lang Teo Xiaowei Wang Xiao Chi Kian Ping Loh Hyun‐Wook Lee Guangyuan Wesley Zheng |
| Affiliation: | 1. Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore;2. School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shaanxi, China;3. School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, Republic of Korea;4. Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore;5. International Collaborative Laboratory of 2D Materials for Optoelectronics Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China;6. Singapore Synchrotron Light Source, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore;7. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore |
| Abstract: | The propensity of lithium dendrite formation during the charging process of lithium metal batteries is linked to inhomogeneity on the lithium surface layer. The high reactivity of lithium and the complex surface structure of the native layer create “hot spots” for fast dendritic growth. Here, it is demonstrated that a fundamental restructuring of the lithium surface in the form of lithium silicide (LixSi) can effectively eliminate the surface inhomogeneity on the lithium surface. In situ optical microscopic study is carried out to monitor the electrochemical deposition of lithium on the LixSi‐modified lithium electrodes and the bare lithium electrode. It is observed that a much more uniform lithium dissolution/deposition on the LixSi‐modified lithium anode can be achieved as compared to the bare lithium electrode. Full cells paring the modified lithium anode with sulfur and LiFePO4 cathodes show excellent electrochemical performances in terms of rate capability and cycle stability. Compatibility of the anode enrichment method with mass production process also offers a practical way for enabling lithium metal anode for next‐generation lithium batteries. |
| Keywords: | high‐rate capability lithium metal surface enrichment uniform deposition |