A lithiophilic and conductive interlayer for dendrite-free lithium metal anodes

Lithium metal battery is strongly deemed as the most promising next-generation energy-storage devices due to its high theoretical energy density. However, uneven lithium deposition and infinite volume change are still the main challenges that significantly hinder their practical applications. Herein, a silicon nanoparticle-decorated carbon nanofibers ([email protected]) mat was explored as a novel lithiophilic and conductive interlayer for commercial Li foil. The [email protected] interlayer with three-dimensional porous and conductive structure can act as a Li+ redistributor and a lithiophilic host to regulate Li deposition behaviors and buffer the volume changes during the Li plating/stripping processes. The obtained [email protected] anodes possess outstanding cycling stability under ultrahigh currents and capacities (e.g. 1800 cycles at 20 mA cm−2/5 mAh cm−2 and 900 cycles at 80 mA cm−2/40 mAh cm−2). This strategy is facile and efficient in inhibiting Li dendrite growth and can be extended to other alkali metal batteries.