Alternating nanolayers as lithiophilic scaffolds for Li-metal anode

Abstract Nanostructured scaffolds offer promising opportunities in enabling dendrite-free long-cycle life Li metal anode. The rational design and controllable synthesis of scaffolding architectures are imperative for development of rechargeable Li metal batteries. In this study, we explore the fabrication and application of a tin monoxide/graphene hybrid architecture as a lithiophilic host for high-performance Li metal anode. Using a polymer-assisted sonochemical synthesis route, we tuned the thickness of SnO nanolayers and the nanostructure of alternatively stacking thin SnO nanosheet/graphene (SnO-NS/G) heterostructure. Offering abundant nucleation sites, fast ion transport tunnels, and 3D-conductivity, the unique 2D–2D architecture enables stable lithium plating-stripping cycling with low nucleation overpotential and high coulombic efficiency (CE). Hosted by SnO-NS/G scaffold, the resulting Li metal anode exhibits stable cycling over 200 cycles at 0.5 mA cm−2 (2 mAh). Full cell pairing high-mass-loading cathode LiCoO2 (LCO) (12 mg cm−2) with SnO-NS/G hosted Li metal anode delivers high energy density of 402 Wh kg−1 and stable cyclability of over 100 cycles. We elucidate the structure-property relationship between nanolayer thickness and Li-metal plating behaviors, giving new insight on structuring 2D-nanomaterials with ideal architectures for stable lithium metal batteries.