Uniform lithium plating within 3D Cu foam enabled by Ag nanoparticles

Abstract

Lithium metal is recognized as the “Holy Grail” of anode materials for high-energy-density batteries. However, the application of the lithium anode is seriously hindered due to its instability especially during the large-capacity lithium stripping/plating process. In this study, a dimensionally stable Li composite electrode is fabricated by electrodepositing lithium on Ag-modified Cu foam. The Li-Ag alloy formed during the initial plating shows micro-structural affinity to lithium and promotes the subsequent uniform Li stripping/plating on the Cu skeleton. The symmetric cell with Li/Ag-modified Cu composite electrode shows much-improved stability as compared to both the Li/3D Cu composite and Li plate electrodes. By investigating the electrochemical performance of the full cells with Li4Ti5O12 cathode, we find the interface stability of the Li composite electrode is deteriorated because of the increase of specific surface area. This work indicates that both dimensional and interface stabilities of lithium anodes are important for fabricating practical secondary lithium batteries.