Normalized Lithium Growth from the Nucleation Stage for Dendrite‐Free Lithium Metal Anodes

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2019-12, Vol.58 (50), p.18246-18251
• Main Authors: Li, Nan, Ye, Qian, Zhang, Kun, Yan, Huibo, Shen, Chao, Wei, Bingqing, Xie, Keyu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anodes; Copper; Crystallization; Dendritic structure; Functional groups; growth normalization; Homogenization; Lithium; lithium anodes; Mass transfer; Metals; Nucleation; polymer brushes; Substrates; Synergistic effect
• ISSN: 1433-7851; 1521-3773
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201911267

Inducing uniform deposition of lithium from the stage of metal crystallization nucleation is of vital importance to achieve dendrite‐free lithium anodes. Herein, using experiments and simulation, homogenization of Li nucleation and normalization of Li growth can be achieved on PNIPAM polymer brushes with lithiophilic functional groups modified Cu substrates. The lithiophilic functional groups of amide O can homogenize ion mass transfer and induce the uniform distribution of Li nucleation sites. What is more, the ultra‐small space between each brush can act as the channels for Li transportation and normalization growth. Owing to the synergistic effect of homogenization and normalization of electrodeposited Li, the obtained planar columnar Li anode exhibits excellent cycle stability at an ultra‐high current density of 20 mA cm−2. Homogenization of Li nucleation from the nucleation stage and normalization of Li growth can be achieved on PNIPAM polymer brushes with lithiophilic functional groups modified Cu substrates. The obtained planar columnar Li anode exhibits excellent cycle stability at an ultra‐high current density of 20 mA cm−2.