Semi-infused lithium anode for advanced Li metal batteries

Lithium metal battery is a promising candidate for the next generation batteries due to its high theoretical specific capacity and energy density. However, the dendritic propensity of Li metal and inevitable volume variation are critical obstacles for commercialization. Here, we prepare a novel anode that Li infused partially into the tin oxide coated Ni mesh (Li/SnO2-Ni) by semi-infusion strategy. The strategy can provide an adequate but not excessive amount of Li in the host for the battery. The SnO2-Ni mesh abates the dendritic formation and volume variation due to its lithiophilic property, three-dimensional (3-D) structure, and excellent conductivity guiding the Li-ion deposition and stripping uniformly during cycling. As a result, Li/SnO2-Ni cell can cycle a long span with an exceptionally low voltage gap of 8, 15, and 200 mV at a different current density and of 1, 3, and 35 mA cm−2, and a capacity of 1, 1 and 5 mAh cm−2, respectively, in a symmetrical cell. The performance of full cell against LiFePO4 cathode achieves a superior capacity of 173 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C and the retention of 90 % after 70 cycles. This work offers a facile and effective strategy to fabricate a 3-D composite anode and promotes the practical applications of Li metal batteries.