Constructing porous nanosphere structure current collector by nitriding for lithium metal batteries

Abstract Lithium metal possesses an ultra-high theoretical specific capacity (3860 mAh g−1), which is a promising anode material for next-generation high-energy-density rechargeable batteries. However, the practical application of lithium metal batteries is hindered by continuous generation of lithium dendrites during the cycling process. In this study, we have prepared composite current collector with porous nanospheres structure (Cu3N-NS/Cu) through a brand-new nitriding method. Because Cu3N-modified layer of Cu current collector improves the affinity of the electrode and lithium, the composite collector shows a better cyclic reversibility and flat lithium deposition morphology. And its porous nanospheres structure possesses higher specific surface area, which is beneficial for facilitating the diffusion of Li+ and reducing the local current density of the electrode. Therefore, the Li/Cu half-cells with Cu3N-NS/Cu could be cycled stably for 220 cycles and the morphology of lithium deposited on Cu3N-NS/Cu composite current collector still remains a dendrite-free state even at 3 mAh cm−2.