Lithium selective deposition on heterogeneous magnesium grains stabilized lithium metal batteries

Abstract

To suppress the uncontrolled growth of lithium dendrites on the anode side of lithium metal batteries, a functional anode current collector, modified with magnesium (Mg) metal seeds via electron beam-induced deposition (EBID), was developed to enhance lithium deposition behavior. This fine Mg grain optimizes the large grain structure and rough surface of the traditional copper foil, and avoids the uneven nucleation and deposition of lithium caused by the tip effect and lithiophibicity. As heterogeneous nucleation sites, these Mg grains exhibit superior lithiophilicity. The findings indicate that the modified anode current collector effectively restrains the growth of lithium dendrites at a deposition capacity of 3 mAh cm⁻². Even when the symmetric cell is operated at 10 °C, its cycle life surpasses 420 h at a current density of 0.5 mA cm⁻², demonstrating significant potential for lithium metal anodes.