Evaluation of Porous Ni(Zn) Materials As 3D Matrices for Li Metal Electrodes

Abstract

Due to its very high theoretical capacity (3861 mAh g-1 or 2062 mAh cm-3) and low redox potential (-3.04 V vs standard hydrogen electrode), lithium metal is one of the most attractive anode materials for batteries. However, its use in rechargeable batteries such as Li-S and Li-air batteries is problematic due to the uncontrolled formation of lithium dendrites during charge/discharge cycling, which can induce cell short circuit, aggravated adverse reactions, dead Li formation, polarization increase and large volume changes, resulting in safety concerns and low coulombic efficiencies. Various strategies have been evaluated to prevent the growth of Li dendrites such as: (i) electrolyte engineering for modifying the physicochemical properties of the solid electrolyte interphase and better regulating the current distribution during Li deposition; (ii) interface engineering by covering the Li surface with a protective coating before cycling; (iii) use of solid electrolyte or reinforced separator to mechanically block Li dendrite propagation and (iv) development of 3D substrates inducing a more uniform Li-ion flux in addition to act as stable hosts that guide Li plating and minimize the electrode volume variation upon cycling [1-3].According to this latter strategy, the present study is focused on porous Ni and Ni-Zn electrodes elaborated by the dynamic hydrogen bubble template (DHBT) method [4]. The Li wettability of these electrodes as a function of their porosity and composition will be presented. Their ability to better control lithium dendritic growth will be discussed on the basis of cycling experiments in Li/S batteries, electrochemical dilatometry experiments and operando optical microscopy analyses. References [ 1 ] X.B. Cheng, R. Zhang, C.Z. Zhao, Q. Zhang, Toward safe lithium metal anode in rechargeable batteries: a review, Chem. Rev 117 (2017) 10403-10473. [ 2 ]X.B. Cheng, J.Q. Huang, Q. Zhang, Review-Li metal anode in working lithium-sulfur batteries, J. Electrochem. Soc. 165 (2018) A6058-A6071. [ 3 ] D. Lin, Y. Liu, Y. Cui, Reviving the lithium metal anode for high-energy batteries, Nat. Nanotechnol. 12 (2017) 194-206. [ 4 ] M. Hao, V. Charbonneau, N. N. Fomena, J. Gaudet, D. R. Bruce, S. Garbarino, D. A. Harrington, D. Guay, . Hydrogen Bubble Templating of Fractal Ni Catalysts for Water Oxidation in Alkaline Media. ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 2 (2019) 5734-5743.