Facile Electrodeposition Method for Constructing LiS as Artificial Solid Electrolyte Interphase for High-Performance Li Metal Anode.

Designing current collectors and constructing efficient artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers are promising strategies for achieving dendrite-free Li deposition and practical applications in Li metal batteries (LMBs). Electrodeposition is advantageous for large-scale production and allows the direct formation of current collectors without binders, making them immediately usable as electrodes. In this study, an adherent CuS thin-layer on Cu foil is synthesized through anodic electrodeposition from a NaS solution in a one-step process, followed by the generation of LiS layers as artificial SEI layers via a conversion reaction (3DLiS-Cu foil). The LiS layers move from the 3D Cu surface to the deposited Li surface, facilitating uniform and dense Li deposition. The 3DLiS-Cu foil structure demonstrates stable cycling performance over 350 cycles in an asymmetric cell, with a capacity of 1 mAh cm at 1 mA cm. Moreover, symmetric cells with 5 mAh cm of deposited Li exhibit a stable cycle life for over 1200 h. When paired with commercial LiFePO (LFP), the full cells show substantially enhanced cyclability, regardless of the amount of deposited Li. This study provides new insights into the construction of artificial SEIs for facilitating commercial applications.