Research Progress on Copper-Based Current Collector for Lithium Metal Batteries

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) using lithium metal as the anode show great potential in improving energy density and power density than conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In addition to the common Li-containing cathode materials in LIBs that can be used in LMBs, some Li-free materials (S, O2, etc.) have also been developed and applied to cathodes in LMBs. However, the lithium metal anode with highly chemically activity still faces many challenges. For example, growing lithium dendrites, producing "dead lithium", and causing a series of safety hazards, etc. In addition, in order to use a small amount (or zero excess) of lithium metal to increase the energy density of the battery and meet the mechanical strength of lithium metal anode, using a metal current collector is very important for lithium metal anode. In this Review, we first will discuss the role of cathode and anode current collector in lithium metal. Then we will analyze the influence of anode current collector on lithium metal anode, and highlight the recent progress on copper-based current collector modification strategies. Finally, we will discuss new insights and future directions associated with the copper-based current collector.