Full-chain enhanced ion transport toward stable lithium metal anodes

Abstract

The dendrite growth that results from the slow electrode process kinetics prevents the lithium (Li) metal anode from being used in practical applications. Here, full-chain enhanced ion transport for stabilizing Li metal anodes is proposed. Experimental and theoretical studies confirm that full-chain enhanced ion transport (electrocrystallization, mass transport in the electrolyte and diffusion in solid electrolyte interphase) under magnetoelectrochemistry contributes to a homogeneous, dense, and dendrite-free morphology. Specifically, the enhanced electrocrystallization behavior promotes the Li nucleation; the enhanced mass transport in the electrolyte alleviates the ion concentration gradient at the electrode surface, which helps to inhibit dendrite growth; and the enhanced diffusion in the solid electrolyte interphase further homogenizes the Li deposition behavior, obtaining regular and uniform Li particles. Consequently, the Li metal anode has exceptional cycling stability in both symmetric and full cells, and the pouch cell performs long cycles (170 cycles) in practice evaluation. This work advances fundamental knowledge of the magneto-dendrite effect and offers a new perspective on stabilizing metal anodes.