Self-Stabilized and Strongly Adhesive Supramolecular Polymer Protective Layer Enables Ultrahigh-Rate and Large-Capacity Lithium-Metal Anode.

Abstract

Constructing a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) is a highly effective approach to overcome the poor reversibility of lithium (Li) metal anodes. Herein, an adhesive and self-healable supramolecular copolymer, comprising of pendant poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) segments and ureido-pyrimidinone (UPy) quadruple-hydrogen-bonding moieties, is developed as a protection layer of Li anode by a simple drop-coating. The protection performance of in-situ-formed LiPEO-UPy SEI layer is significantly enhanced owing to the strong binding and improved stability arising from a spontaneous reaction between UPy groups and Li metal. An ultrathin (approximately 70 nm) LiPEO-UPy layer can contribute to stable and dendrite-free cycling at a high areal capacity of 10 mAh cm-2 at 5 mA cm-2 for 1000 h. This coating together with the promising electrochemical performance offers a new strategy for the development of dendrite-free metal anodes.