Stable Li metal anode with protected interface for high-performance Li metal batteries

Li metal is regarded as the most attractive anode because of its high specific capacity, low reduction potential, and low density. However, low coulombic efficiency and the formation of Li dendrites cause challenges in short cycle life and safety issues, highlighting a need for an innovative design of lithium metal anode with high areal capacity, high rate capability and high safety. Herein, we demonstrate a nanostructured lithium metal anode with stable solid electrolyte interface achieved by electro-deposition of Li metal in a commercial carbon fiber cloth matrix. The as-obtained composite Li metal anode with a high areal capacity of 10 mA h cm−2 can mitigate volume expansion and suppress the formation of dendrites effectively, which cycle in both ether and ester electrolyte with high current density and large capacity, showing an exceptionally low overpotential of 18 mV and stable cycle over 350 cycles. A full cell with LiFePO4 cathode can stable cycle at 10 C for 200 cycles with only 5.6% capacity fading, and the general applicability also demonstrated by full cell paired with LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2.