Skin care design for lithium metal protection with cosmetics introduction

Abstract

Abstract Lithium metal anode (LMA) is the ultimate “Holy Grail” electrode for next generation high-energy-density batteries. Nevertheless, its instinct high reactivity is a formidable challenge and has intensified side reactions, destabilized the electrode/electrolyte interface and restricted the operating conditions strictly, thus hampering its practical application. Here, we “make up” the Li metal (M-Li) by constructing vaseline-coated layer by a simple dip-coating or casting method. With the chemically stable and hydrophobic vaseline protective layer, the stability of Li towards humid and corrosive atmosphere has been greatly improved. The M-Li guaranteed stable and prolonged cycling life after the anode suffering from corrosion in moist air (relative humidity ~65%) or corrosive electrolyte (with 10,000 ppm H2O or S) both in symmetric cells and LiFePO4 full cells. This work illustrates a convenient, economic, and industrial applicable method for stable LMA.