Work

Electrodeposited ZnO/Zn(OH) 2 Nanosheets as a Functional Interface for Dendrite‐Free Lithium Metal Anodes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Modifying the current collector is a promising strategy to enable Li metal anodes with minimal Li consumption. Herein, a scalable electrodeposition method is introduced to construct 3D ZnO/Zn(OH) 2 nanosheets on Cu foil (ZOH NSs–Cu foil). Cu(OH) 2 nanowires are first formed via anodization, followed by electroconversion of Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ ions. DFT calculations reveal that the ZOH NSs–Cu foil exhibits high Li adsorption energy, imparting strong lithiophilicity and lowering the Li nucleation overpotential. The 3D nanosheet structure provides a large electrochemically active surface, reducing the effective current density. Furthermore, ZOH NSs–Cu foil exhibits low charge transfer resistance and promotes a Li 2 O/LiF‐rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, further reducing interfacial resistance. SEM analysis and simulations confirm uniform Li deposition on ZOH NSs–Cu foil. In asymmetric cells (1 mAh cm −2 at 1 mA cm −2 ), ZOH NSs–Cu foil supports stable cycling for over 400 cycles. Furthermore, a full cell coupling a LiFePO 4 (LFP) cathode with a Li@ZOH NSs–Cu foil anode retains high capacity with ≈100% Coulombic efficiency over 350 cycles at 1 C, even at an N/P ratio of ≈1.9. This binder‐free, scalable approach offers precise Li deposition control and excellent electrochemical performance, advancing the practical application of Li metal anodes.

Source: Small

DOI: 10.1002/smll.202503607