Extraordinary dendrite-free Li deposition on highly uniform facet wrinkled Cu substrates in carbonate electrolytes

Abstract

Despite much research focused on lithium (Li) metal batteries, an important issue concerning Li-dendrite growth on the anode remains unresolved. The intrinsic mechanism of this Li-dendrite formation is related to the non-uniform distribution of Li-ion flux on the anode in charge/discharge caused by irregular structure and energy of anode surface. Here we report upon dendrite-free Li-deposition in a carbonate-based electrolyte using a novel Cu anode structure with sharp wrinkles and a [100] crystal facet. This uniform Li-deposition resulted in long-term electrochemical cyclability in Li/Cu and LiFePO 4 /Li cell. Our observations revealed that the wrinkled Cu surface and the unifying [100] crystal facet play important roles in enhancing the uniformity of the Li-ion flux and the adsorption energy of the Li-ions on Cu, respectively. We expect that this study will permit the use of a wide range of wrinkled structures and crystal planes to obtain high-energy and long-term cycles of Li-metal batteries. • Dendrite-free Li deposition is obtained using wrinkled Cu with uniform [100] facet. • Wrinkled surface structure on Cu provides uniform Li + flux for uniform Li deposition. • Uniform [100] facet distribution equalizes Li adsorption energy on the Cu. • The uniform Li deposition resulted in long-term cyclability with 99% CE.