Self-Propagating Enabling High Lithium Metal Utilization Ratio Composite Anodes for Lithium Metal Batteries.

Abstract

Constructing three-dimensional (3D) structural composite lithium metal anode by molten-infusion strategy is an effective strategy to address the severe problems of Li dendritic growth and huge volume changes. However, various challenges, including uncontrollable Li loading, dense inner structure, and low Li utilization, still need to be addressed for the practical application of 3D Li anode. Herein, we propose a self-propagating method, which is realized by a synergistic effect of chemical reaction and capillarity effect on porous scaffold surface, for fabricating a flexible 3D composite Li metal anode with high Li utilization ratio and controllable low Li loading. The composite 3D anode possesses controllable low loading (8.0-24.0 mAh cm-2) and uniform grid structure, realizing a stable cycling over 600 h at a high Li metal utilization ratio over 75%. The proposed strategy for fabricating composite 3D anode could promote the practical application of Li metal batteries.