Highly stable lithium metal composite anode with a flexible 3D lithiophilic skeleton

Li metal is considered as the promising anode for next-generation energy storage devices owing to its ultrahigh specific capacity and lowest electrochemical potential. However, its practical applications are still hindered by inherent high activation, uncontrolled dendrite growth, and huge volume change. In this work, a highly stable Li metal composite anode (LFMZ) with a flexible 3D skeleton is designed and prepared via in-situ reactions among Li particles, polymers, and ZnO to address these problems. The produced Li+/electron hybrid conductive 3D skeleton with homogeneously distributed LiF could regulate the incoming Li+ flux and effectively prevent the electrode from side reactions with electrolytes. In addition, the enlarged surface area declines the current density and formed LiZn lithiophilic sites reduce the Li deposition over-potential. As a result, dendrite-free Li deposition on the electrode surface is realized. Due to the unique structure and functional advantages, the composite electrode shows dendrite-free morphology, less volume change during cycling, and better electrochemical reversibility compared to bare Li. Moreover, the LFMZ/LiFePO4 and LFMZ/O2 full cells deliver stable cycling and a long lifetime. This work provides new insight into the design of Li metal anode for high energy batteries.