High dielectric barium titanate porous scaffold for efficient Li metal cycling in anode-free cells

Wang, C.; Liu, M.; Thijs, M.A.; Ooms, F.G.B.; Ganapathy, S.; Wagemaker, M.

doi:10.1038/s41467-021-26859-8

High dielectric barium titanate porous scaffold for efficient Li metal cycling in anode-free cells

Title

High dielectric barium titanate porous scaffold for efficient Li metal cycling in anode-free cells

Author

Wang, C. (TU Delft RST/Storage of Electrochemical Energy)
Liu, M. (TU Delft Team Arjan Mol)
Thijs, M.A. (TU Delft RID/TS/Technici Pool)
Ooms, F.G.B. (TU Delft RST/Technici Pool)
Ganapathy, S. (TU Delft RID/TS/Instrumenten groep)
Wagemaker, M. (TU Delft RST/Storage of Electrochemical Energy)

Date

2021

Abstract

Li metal batteries are being intensively investigated as a means to achieve higher energy density when compared with standard Li-ion batteries. However, the formation of dendritic and mossy Li metal microstructures at the negative electrode during stripping/plating cycles causes electrolyte decomposition and the formation of electronically disconnected Li metal particles. Here we investigate the use of a Cu current collector coated with a high dielectric BaTiO₃ porous scaffold to suppress the electrical field gradients that cause morphological inhomogeneities during Li metal stripping/plating. Applying operando solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance measurements, we demonstrate that the high dielectric BaTiO₃ porous scaffold promotes dense Li deposition, improves the average plating/stripping efficiency and extends the cycling life of the cell compared to both bare Cu and to a low dielectric scaffold material (i.e., Al₂O₃). We report electrochemical tests in full anode-free coin cells using a LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂-based positive electrode and a LiPF₆-based electrolyte to demonstrate the cycling efficiency of the BaTiO₃-coated Cu electrode.