Dual-layer vermiculite nanosheet based hybrid film to suppress dendrite growth in lithium metal batteries

Lithium metal anode has become a favorable candidate for next-generation rechargeable batteries.However, the unstable interface between lithium metal and electrolyte leads to the growth of dendrites,resulting in the low Coulombic efficiency and even the safety concerns. Herein, a rigid-flexible dual-layer vermiculite nanosheet(VN) based organic-inorganic hybrid film on lithium metal anode is proposed to suppress dendrite growth and relieve volume fluctuations. The inner mechanically robust VN layer(3 μm thick) enhances the mechanical properties of the protective layer, while the outer polymer(4 μm thick) can enhance the flexibility of the hybrid layer. The Li | Li symmetric cell with protected lithium shows an extended life of over 670 h. The full cell with Li anode protected by dual-layer interface exhibits a better capacity retention of 80% after 174 cycles in comparison to bare Li anode with 94 cycles.This study provides a novel approach and a significant step towards prolonging lifespan of lithium metal batteries.

Two-dimensional silica enhanced solid polymer electrolyte for lithium metal batteries

Solid polymer electrolytes(SPEs)are promising substitutes for current flammable liquid electrolytes to achieve high-safety and high-energy-density lithium metal batteries.Polyethylene oxide(PEO)based solid polymer electrolytes have attracted increasing attention because of their excellent flexibility,manufacturability,light weight,and low-cost processing,while they often suffer from low ionic con-ductivity at room temperature,low lithium transference number and unsatisfactory interfacial resis-tance,which largely restrain their practical application.Herein,two-dimensional holey silica nanosheets(2D-HSN)as the fillers,together with LiNO_(3) as the electrolyte additive,are introduced in a PEO/poly(-vinylidene fiuoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)(PVDF-HFP)blended polymer matrix to obtain a SPE.The incorporation of HSN filler creates supplementary channels for lithium ion migration and lowers the crystallinity of the polymer,thereby facilitating the movement of lithium ions.The HSN-based SPE demonstrates higher ionic conductivity up to 3.7 x 10-4 S cm-1 at 30℃,larger Li+transference number close to 0.34,and more stable lithium plating/stripping than that without the fillers,and HSN can promote the formation of more stable solid electrolyte interphase(SEI)layer.The as-assembled LiFePO4||Li batteries deliver a high specific capacity of 159 mA h g-1 with the capacity retention of 95.5%after 200 cycles at 30℃,as well as superior rate performance and cycling stability compared to that using the blank SPE.