A Hierarchical Silver-Nanowire-Graphene Host Enabling Ultrahigh Rates and Superior Long-Term Cycling of Lithium-Metal Composite Anodes

Xue, P (Xue, Pan)^[ 1 ] ; Liu, SR (Liu, Shuiren)^[ 1 ] ; Shi, XL (Shi, Xinlei)^[ 1 ] ; Sun, C (Sun, Chuang)^[ 2 ] ; Lai, C (Lai, Chao)^[ 2 ] ; Zhou, Y (Zhou, Ying)^[ 3 ] ; Sui, D(Sui, Dong)^[ 3 ] ; Chen, YS (Chen, Yongsheng)^[ 3 ] ; Liang, JJ (Liang, Jiajie)^{[ 1,3,4,5 ]}

ADVANCED MATERIALS, 2018, 30(44): 文献号: 1804165

DOI: 10.1002/adma.201804165

 WOS:000450232800011

Abstract

Metallic lithium (Li) is a promising anode for next-generation high-energy-density batteries, but its applications are still hampered due to the limited charging/discharging rate and poor cycling performance. Here, a hierarchical 3D porous architecture is designed with a binary network of continuous silver nanowires assembled on an interconnected 3D graphene skeleton as the host for Li-metal composite anodes, which offers a significant boost in both charging/discharging rates and long-term cycling performance for Li-metal batteries. This unique hierarchical binary network structure in conjunction with optimized material combination provides ultrafast, continuous, and smooth electron transportation channel and non-nucleation barrier sites to direct and confine Li deposition. It also offers outstanding mechanical strength and toughness to support massive Li deposition and buffer the internal stress fluctuations during long-term repeated Li stripping/plating thereby minimizing fundamental issues of dendrite formation and volume change even under ultrafast charging/discharging rates. As a result, the composite anode using this hierarchical host can work smoothly at an unprecedented high current density of 40 mA cm(-2) over 1000 plating/stripping cycles with low overpotential (<120 mv) in symmetric cells. the as-constructed full cell, paired with lini0.5co0.2mn0.3o2 cathode, also exhibits excellent rate capability and high-rate cycling stability.