Building a House for Stabilizing Lithium‐Metal Anodes

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AbstractLithium (Li) metal is regarded as one of the most promising anode candidates for future high energy density lithium batteries. The practical application of Li‐metal anodes, however, is hindered by the uncontrollable growth of dendrites resulting from both huge volume change and unstable solid‐electrolyte interfaces upon cycling. Herein, we propose a novel “house strategy” that utilizes the 3D NiO nanosheets decorated nickel foam as the frame to confine Li metal and the inorganic [LiNBH]n chains with high Li ion conductivity as the artificial protective proof to establish a stable dendrite‐free Li metal anode. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of the 3D NiO/Ni foam in lowering the local current density and accommodating the huge volume change of Li metal and the [LiNBH]n protective layer in facilitating uniform Li+ diffusion and regulating Li deposition beneath this layer, the LiNBH‐Li@Ni electrode presents an excellent long‐term cycling lifespan of over 800 h at both 1 and 3 mA cm−2 with a high areal capacity of 5 mAh cm−2 in symmetric cells. Upon coupling this anode with LiFePO4 cathode, the thus‐assembled full cells deliver an ultrahigh reversible capacity of 127.4 mAh g−1 at 1 C after 200 cycles.