Lithiophilic Interlayer with Electrolyte-Reservoir and Dendrite-Buffer for High-Performance Lithium Metal Batteries

Uneven local electric fields and limited nucleation sites at the reaction interface can lead to the formation of hazardous lithium (Li) dendrites, posing a significant safety risk and impeding the practical utilization of Li metal anodes (LMAs). Here, we present a method utilizing atomic layer depos...

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Main Authors: Huasen Shen, Guoning Wu, Tingting Ma, Mengjun Li, Yunan Tian, Si Chen, Shaojun Cai, Zhaohuai Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Nanomaterials
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/10/710
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author Huasen Shen
Guoning Wu
Tingting Ma
Mengjun Li
Yunan Tian
Si Chen
Shaojun Cai
Zhaohuai Li
author_facet Huasen Shen
Guoning Wu
Tingting Ma
Mengjun Li
Yunan Tian
Si Chen
Shaojun Cai
Zhaohuai Li
author_sort Huasen Shen
collection DOAJ
description Uneven local electric fields and limited nucleation sites at the reaction interface can lead to the formation of hazardous lithium (Li) dendrites, posing a significant safety risk and impeding the practical utilization of Li metal anodes (LMAs). Here, we present a method utilizing atomic layer deposition (ALD) to create lithiophilic titanium nitride (TiN) sites on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) surfaces, integrated with nanocellulose to form a lithiophilic interlayer (NFCP@TN). This interlayer, which is highly flexible and electrolyte-wettable, functions as a current collector and host material for LMAs. The uniform deposition of Li is facilitated by the synergistic interplay of the lithiophilic active sites TiN, the conductive CNT network, and excellent electrolyte wettability of nanocellulose. As a result, Li preferentially adsorbs on TiN sheaths with lower diffusion barriers, leading to controlled nucleation sites and dendrite-free Li deposition. Furthermore, the well-designed NFCP@TN interlayer exhibits exceptional electrochemical performance and significantly extended cycle life when paired LMA with high areal capacity NCM811 (5.0 mAh cm<sup>−2</sup>) electrodes.
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series Nanomaterials
spelling doaj-art-846eedd4cc8946e0b1bd8c5c911ad8a82025-08-20T03:14:29ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-05-01151071010.3390/nano15100710Lithiophilic Interlayer with Electrolyte-Reservoir and Dendrite-Buffer for High-Performance Lithium Metal BatteriesHuasen Shen0Guoning Wu1Tingting Ma2Mengjun Li3Yunan Tian4Si Chen5Shaojun Cai6Zhaohuai Li7Key Laboratory of Flexible Optoelectronic Materials and Technology, Ministry of Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, ChinaKey Laboratory of Flexible Optoelectronic Materials and Technology, Ministry of Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, ChinaKey Laboratory of Flexible Optoelectronic Materials and Technology, Ministry of Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, ChinaKey Laboratory of Flexible Optoelectronic Materials and Technology, Ministry of Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, ChinaKey Laboratory of Flexible Optoelectronic Materials and Technology, Ministry of Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, ChinaKey Laboratory of Flexible Optoelectronic Materials and Technology, Ministry of Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, ChinaSchool of Optoelectronic Materials and Technology, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, ChinaKey Laboratory of Flexible Optoelectronic Materials and Technology, Ministry of Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, ChinaUneven local electric fields and limited nucleation sites at the reaction interface can lead to the formation of hazardous lithium (Li) dendrites, posing a significant safety risk and impeding the practical utilization of Li metal anodes (LMAs). Here, we present a method utilizing atomic layer deposition (ALD) to create lithiophilic titanium nitride (TiN) sites on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) surfaces, integrated with nanocellulose to form a lithiophilic interlayer (NFCP@TN). This interlayer, which is highly flexible and electrolyte-wettable, functions as a current collector and host material for LMAs. The uniform deposition of Li is facilitated by the synergistic interplay of the lithiophilic active sites TiN, the conductive CNT network, and excellent electrolyte wettability of nanocellulose. As a result, Li preferentially adsorbs on TiN sheaths with lower diffusion barriers, leading to controlled nucleation sites and dendrite-free Li deposition. Furthermore, the well-designed NFCP@TN interlayer exhibits exceptional electrochemical performance and significantly extended cycle life when paired LMA with high areal capacity NCM811 (5.0 mAh cm<sup>−2</sup>) electrodes.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/10/710lithium metal anodes (LMAs)dendriteatomic layer deposition (ALD)carbon nanotube (CNT)lithiophilic interlayer
spellingShingle Huasen Shen
Guoning Wu
Tingting Ma
Mengjun Li
Yunan Tian
Si Chen
Shaojun Cai
Zhaohuai Li
Lithiophilic Interlayer with Electrolyte-Reservoir and Dendrite-Buffer for High-Performance Lithium Metal Batteries
Nanomaterials
lithium metal anodes (LMAs)
dendrite
atomic layer deposition (ALD)
carbon nanotube (CNT)
lithiophilic interlayer
title Lithiophilic Interlayer with Electrolyte-Reservoir and Dendrite-Buffer for High-Performance Lithium Metal Batteries
title_full Lithiophilic Interlayer with Electrolyte-Reservoir and Dendrite-Buffer for High-Performance Lithium Metal Batteries
title_fullStr Lithiophilic Interlayer with Electrolyte-Reservoir and Dendrite-Buffer for High-Performance Lithium Metal Batteries
title_full_unstemmed Lithiophilic Interlayer with Electrolyte-Reservoir and Dendrite-Buffer for High-Performance Lithium Metal Batteries
title_short Lithiophilic Interlayer with Electrolyte-Reservoir and Dendrite-Buffer for High-Performance Lithium Metal Batteries
title_sort lithiophilic interlayer with electrolyte reservoir and dendrite buffer for high performance lithium metal batteries
topic lithium metal anodes (LMAs)
dendrite
atomic layer deposition (ALD)
carbon nanotube (CNT)
lithiophilic interlayer
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/10/710
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