Lithiophilic interface via tiny coordination dispersion enabling dendrite-free lithium metal anodes

Abstract

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) have emerged as promising candidates for next-generation high-energy-density systems. However, the practical implementation of LMBs faces critical challenges including uncontrolled dendrite proliferation and excessive lithium consumption, which significantly deteriorate cycling stability and raise safety concerns. To address these issues, a uniform and tiny S/P/Zn modified copper mesh (mCu@HCl-Zn-DDTP) is developed to regulate lithium plating behavior and prolong cycle lifespan. Acid-etching treatment provides enriched microinterfaces and additional sites for lithium deposition. Subsequently, coordination ensures adequate dispersion and transformation of S/P/Zn components via spatial segregation at the atomic scale. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of improved lithophilicity and enhanced inorganic components (Li₂S, Li₃P, Li₂O) in solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), the dendrite-free plating morphology is achieved and the irreversible reactions between lithium and electrolyte are effectively suppressed during cycling. Accordingly, the modified current collector enables exceptional cycling performance with 1000 stable cycles in half cells at 0.5 mA/cm². When paired with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode, full cells demonstrate remarkable capacity retention exceeding 95 % after 500 cycles at 2C and 5C. This work provides a facile yet effective current collector engineering strategy that simultaneously addresses multiple interfacial challenges in LMBs, paving the way for practical high-energy-density battery applications.