Beyond the barrier: Reinventing the protective layer for lithium metal batteries
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Author
Rospars, N.
Fu, C.
Srout, M.
Pires Da Veiga, L.
Liu, S.
Ingenito, A.
DOI
Abstract
Lithium (Li) metal anodes offer the one of the highest theoretical energy for next generation batteries. However, they remain hindered by a critical trade-off between high performance and the tendency to form dendrites and degrade rapidly. Lithium Fluoride (LiF) is currently the most used material for protecting Li metal anodes because it effectively stops electron leakage and dendrite growth. However, it hits a performance wall: its low ionic conductivity restricts how fast Li ions Li+ can move, limiting the battery’s power and efficiency. We surpassed this limit by engineering a novel anion-doped LiF layer. Using physical vapor co-deposition, we modified the internal structure of LiF. This creates a fast lane for ions within the protective layer without sacrificing the material’s structural integrity. The synthesis of this new phase was confirmed using advanced microscopy (cryo-TEM) to visualize the structure without degrading it and computational modeling (density functional theory) was used to prove theoretical stability and fast diffusion. This enhanced interface delivers the best of both worlds: the robust protection of traditional LiF combined with significantly higher conductivity. In testing, the coated anode demonstrated improved energy efficiency, prevention of dendrite formation, and extended battery cycle life. This work redefines the design principles for battery interphases, demonstrating that strategic doping can transform LiF from a bottleneck into a high-performance component for next-generation energy storage.
Publication Reference
CSEM Scientific and Technical Report 2025, p. 89–90
Year
2025