Seeding a Gradient Solid-Electrolyte Interphase in Anode-Free Lithium Metal Batteries

作者：Kai Tang, Liyin Tian, Zihan Shen, Wen Ting Xie, Song Kiat Jacob Lim, Longcheng Zhang, Pengfei Song, Zhichuan J. Xu · 发表于：Nano Letters · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c04732 · 被引用次数：3 · 研究领域：Advanced Battery Materials and Technologies、Advancements in Battery Materials、Extraction and Separation Processes

Anode-free lithium metal batteries (AFLMBs), coupling lithiated cathodes and bare anode current collectors, deliver advantages in both energy density and safety. Nevertheless, AFLMBs suffer from a limited cycling life due to the parasitic reactions and vulnerable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI). In this study, a chromium nitride nanofilm is coated on copper foil by a filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) to optimize Li deposition and participate in forming a gradient SEI. This gradient SEI has a LiF-rich surface and a CrF 3 -rich middle layer, mitigating parasitic electrolyte decomposition by reducing electron leakage into the electrolyte. Meanwhile, the inner region of the SEI is predominately composed of Li 3 N, which facilitates smooth Li + transport and uniform Li deposition. Under lean-electrolyte conditions (1.75 g of Ah –1 ), the anode-free pouch cell (0.72 Ah) achieves a high energy density of 453 Wh kg –1 . This work presents a scalable route to nanoscale lithiophilic coatings, advancing AFLMB technology toward practical application.