Dendrite-tamed deposition kinetics using single-atom Zn sites for Li metal anode

Abstract The progress of lithium metal batteries (i.e. Li-air and Li-S) is severely cramped by the unstable electrochemical performance and safety concern caused by the dendrite growth of Li metal anode. Here, we demonstrate that the single-atom Zn sites can drive the high dimensional Li deposition kinetics without dendrite. Theoretical calculation predicts the higher surface binding energy and lower migration barrier, providing the possibility toward high dimensional Li deposition. Chronoamperometry investigation on Li deposition reveals the facilitated instantaneous nucleation behavior. Electron microscopy and in situ optical microscopy further identify the high dimensional Li deposition without dendrite-forming. Benefiting from the improved deposition kinetics, Li deposition and stripping performances on ZnSAs achieve low overpotential about 12 mV and high Coulombic efficiency reaching to 100%. Discharging-charging of symmetrical Li-ZnSAs∣Li-ZnSAs cell cycles over 800 h with steady voltage oscillations. The Li-ZnSAs anode applying on Li-S and Li-O 2 batteries can still present stable performance. This work provides a new insight into fundamental understanding of electrochemical deposition of metal anodes by driving high dimensional deposition kinetics using single-atom sites.