A widely applicable strategy to convert fabrics into lithiophilic textile current collector for dendrite-free and high-rate capable lithium metal anode

Abstract

Hindered by dendrite growth, unceasing volume change and repeated regeneration of solid-state electrolyte interface, the practical application of lithium (Li) metal anode is still facing challenges from low Coulombic efficiency (CE), insufficient safety performance and poor cyclic stability. Current collector plays a key role in regulating Li deposition and suppressing dendrite growth. In this report, through a simple bio-template method, a textile-structured nickel (Ni) framework is fabricated as current collector for Li metal anode, whose unique micro-nano hierarchical structure is adequate for accommodating Li. A good performance after more than 200 cycles at 3 mA cm−2 during repeated Li plating/stripping is remained in virtue of this unique structure design. By further introducing Ag2S nanoparticles uniformly to the current collector, a dendrite-free and high reversible Li metal anode is achieved, showing low over-potential (~24 mV at 1 mA cm−2), high CE (~98%) and excellent quick charging/discharging stability (up to 350 cycles at 10 mA cm−2 in symmetric cell). Furthermore, this new strategy for constructing textile-structured metallic framework opens a foreground for various applications of porous metals.