Nanostructure enlightening dendrite-free metal anode
Tuesday, August 19, 2014 - 07:30
in Physics & Chemistry
Graphite anodes have been widely used for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) during the past two decades. The replacement of metallic lithium with graphite enables safe and highly efficient operation of LIBs, however, significantly sacrificing specific capacity and energy density. In fact, as the "Holy Grail" of lithium batteries, lithium metal anodes exhibit a very high theoretical specific capacity of 3860 mAh g−1 and the lowest negative redox potential of −3.040 V vs. standard hydrogen electrode. However, the lithium dendrites forming and elongating during cycling may pierce the polymer separator, resulting in a short circuit and subsequent battery thermal runaway.