A Dual Functional Artificial Solid Electrolyte Interphase for Dendrite-Free Lithium-Metal Batteries

Abstract

The lithium metal has been expected to be an anode of next-generation rechargeable lithium metal batteries due to its remarkable specific capacity of 3,860 mAh g -1 , a low negative electrochemical potential (3.04 vs S.H.E.), and lightweight. To obtain high-energy batteries, the reactive Li anode should be coupled with the superior energy density cathode, for instance, sulfur and oxygen. However, the unrestrained Li dendrite formation and the undesired side reaction at both electrodes could cause the low coulombic efficiency and safety issues hindering the lithium metal batteries from the commercialization. Here, we demonstrate the dual functional artificial solid electrolyte interphases using the UIO-66(SO 3 ) metal-organic framework/polyvinylidene fluoride film (UIO/PVDF). For the LI||Li batteries, the polymer matrix can stabilize the overpotential at a current density of 1.5 mA cm -2 over 200 cycles, indicating the suppression of lithium dendrite growth. When the UIO/PVDF film was applied to the lithium-sulfur batteries, it illustrates the bi-functional to prevent the Li dendrite formation and repulse the lithium polysulfide species. As a result, the electrochemical activities of both cathode and anode are improved.