Taming Lithium Nucleation and Growth on Cu Current Collector by Electrochemical Activation of ZnF2 Layer

Abstract Lithium‐metal anodes are essential for the advancement of next‐generation batteries. However, their practical use is largely hindered by the uncontrollable growth of dendrites and intricate problems associated with fabricating anodes that meet capacity requirements. Here, it is demonstrated...

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Main Authors: Viet Phuong Nguyen, Hyung Cheoul Shim, Young‐Woon Byeon, Jae‐Hyun Kim, Seung‐Mo Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-05-01
Series:Advanced Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202416426
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author Viet Phuong Nguyen
Hyung Cheoul Shim
Young‐Woon Byeon
Jae‐Hyun Kim
Seung‐Mo Lee
author_facet Viet Phuong Nguyen
Hyung Cheoul Shim
Young‐Woon Byeon
Jae‐Hyun Kim
Seung‐Mo Lee
author_sort Viet Phuong Nguyen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Lithium‐metal anodes are essential for the advancement of next‐generation batteries. However, their practical use is largely hindered by the uncontrollable growth of dendrites and intricate problems associated with fabricating anodes that meet capacity requirements. Here, it is demonstrated that an ultrathin ZnF2 layer deposited on the copper foil can produce a novel and efficient current collector to address these challenges. It is observed that ZnF2 can be transformed into LiZn alloy and LiF salt in one step by simple electrochemical activation. The resulting LiZn alloy exhibits high lithiophilicity, which reduces overpotential and promotes uniform lithium nucleation, while the LiF salt enhances the solid electrolyte interphase, ensuring uniform lithium growth. This synergistic effect led to a dendrite‐free, densely packed lithium anode with an extended lifespan, achieving over 900 h in symmetric cells at a high current density of 3 mA cm−2 and a high cut‐off capacity of 3 mAh cm−2. Furthermore, full cells utilizing the lithium anode (Li capacity of 6 mAh cm−2) paired with LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 cathodes (mass loading of 11.5 mg cm−2) demonstrates drastically improved rate capability and excellent cycling stability. This approach holds great promise for developing safer and more efficient lithium‐metal‐based batteries for future energy storage solutions.
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spelling doaj-art-4e251c55dcde4a6ab748874d1d6b17072025-08-20T03:47:33ZengWileyAdvanced Science2198-38442025-05-011219n/an/a10.1002/advs.202416426Taming Lithium Nucleation and Growth on Cu Current Collector by Electrochemical Activation of ZnF2 LayerViet Phuong Nguyen0Hyung Cheoul Shim1Young‐Woon Byeon2Jae‐Hyun Kim3Seung‐Mo Lee4Nanomechatronics University of Science and Technology (UST) 217 Gajeong‐ro Daejeon 34113 Republic of KoreaDepartment of Nanomechanics Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM) 156 Gajeongbuk‐ro Daejeon 34103 Republic of KoreaAdvanced Analysis and Data Center Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Seoul 02792 Republic of KoreaNanomechatronics University of Science and Technology (UST) 217 Gajeong‐ro Daejeon 34113 Republic of KoreaNanomechatronics University of Science and Technology (UST) 217 Gajeong‐ro Daejeon 34113 Republic of KoreaAbstract Lithium‐metal anodes are essential for the advancement of next‐generation batteries. However, their practical use is largely hindered by the uncontrollable growth of dendrites and intricate problems associated with fabricating anodes that meet capacity requirements. Here, it is demonstrated that an ultrathin ZnF2 layer deposited on the copper foil can produce a novel and efficient current collector to address these challenges. It is observed that ZnF2 can be transformed into LiZn alloy and LiF salt in one step by simple electrochemical activation. The resulting LiZn alloy exhibits high lithiophilicity, which reduces overpotential and promotes uniform lithium nucleation, while the LiF salt enhances the solid electrolyte interphase, ensuring uniform lithium growth. This synergistic effect led to a dendrite‐free, densely packed lithium anode with an extended lifespan, achieving over 900 h in symmetric cells at a high current density of 3 mA cm−2 and a high cut‐off capacity of 3 mAh cm−2. Furthermore, full cells utilizing the lithium anode (Li capacity of 6 mAh cm−2) paired with LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 cathodes (mass loading of 11.5 mg cm−2) demonstrates drastically improved rate capability and excellent cycling stability. This approach holds great promise for developing safer and more efficient lithium‐metal‐based batteries for future energy storage solutions.https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202416426current collectordendriteLiF‐rich SEIlithiophiliclithium‐metal battery
spellingShingle Viet Phuong Nguyen
Hyung Cheoul Shim
Young‐Woon Byeon
Jae‐Hyun Kim
Seung‐Mo Lee
Taming Lithium Nucleation and Growth on Cu Current Collector by Electrochemical Activation of ZnF2 Layer
Advanced Science
current collector
dendrite
LiF‐rich SEI
lithiophilic
lithium‐metal battery
title Taming Lithium Nucleation and Growth on Cu Current Collector by Electrochemical Activation of ZnF2 Layer
title_full Taming Lithium Nucleation and Growth on Cu Current Collector by Electrochemical Activation of ZnF2 Layer
title_fullStr Taming Lithium Nucleation and Growth on Cu Current Collector by Electrochemical Activation of ZnF2 Layer
title_full_unstemmed Taming Lithium Nucleation and Growth on Cu Current Collector by Electrochemical Activation of ZnF2 Layer
title_short Taming Lithium Nucleation and Growth on Cu Current Collector by Electrochemical Activation of ZnF2 Layer
title_sort taming lithium nucleation and growth on cu current collector by electrochemical activation of znf2 layer
topic current collector
dendrite
LiF‐rich SEI
lithiophilic
lithium‐metal battery
url https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202416426
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