Geology

Nanotechnology

Electrode

Lithium metal

Mathematics

Dendrite (mathematics)

Anode

Endocrinology

Surface modification

Engineering

Physical chemistry

Composite material

Chemistry

Metallurgy

Materials science

Geometry

Plating (geology)

Lithium (medication)

Alloy

Metal

Electrolyte

Stripping (fiber)

Chemical engineering

Electrochemistry

Medicine

Geophysics

Nature Energy

Lithium metal is a highly desirable anode for lithium rechargeable batteries, having the highest theoretical specific capacity and lowest electrochemical potential of all material candidates. Its most notable problem is dendritic growth upon Li plating, which is a major safety concern and exacerbates reactivity with the electrolyte. Here we report that Li-rich composite alloy films synthesized in situ on lithium by a simple and low-cost methodology effectively prevent dendrite growth. This is attributed to the synergy of fast lithium ion migration through Li-rich ion conductive alloys coupled with an electronically insulating surface component. The protected lithium is stabilized to sustain electrodeposition over 700 cycles (1,400 h) of repeated plating/stripping at a practical current density of 2 mA cm−2 and a 1,500 cycle-life is realized for a cell paired with a Li4Ti5O12 positive electrode. These findings open up a promising avenue to stabilize lithium metal with surface layers having targeted&nbsp;properties. Li dendrite formation is a major obstacle in the development of Li metal batteries. Nazar and colleagues present a protection method for the Li metal by an in situ synthesis of Li-based surface alloy composites, and demonstrate promising battery applications.

A facile surface chemistry route to a stabilized lithium metal anode