Dual electronic-ionic conductive 3D current collector for stable lithium metal anodes.

Lithium metal anodes (LMAs), despite their exceptional theoretical capacity, face critical challenges, including uncontrolled dendrite growth and significant volumetric expansion during lithium (Li) deposition/stripping, which confront substantial commercialization barriers. To address these limitations, we propose a nitrogen-doped (N-doped) carbon nanosheet encapsulating cobalt phosphide (CoP) nanoparticles in situ grown on a three-dimensional (3D) carbon cloth (CC) framework (CC@CoP-NC), creating a dual electronic-ionic conductive 3D current collector to molten Li pre-storage. The porous 3D architecture remarkably decreases local current density and ensures adequate space, while the combination of the N-dopants with strong Li affinity and inlaid CoP nanoparticles endow CC with excellent lithophilicity ensuring uniform Li nucleation. During infusion of molten Li, lithium phosphide (LiP) and cobalt (Co) form in situ, further reinforcing the interconnected electronic-ionic conductive network and facilitating uniform charge distribution of the anode surface. The CC@CoP-NC with pre-storage Li (CC@CoP-NC@Li) demonstrates superior interface kinetics and durable cycling performance. Moreover, full cells with LiFePO (LFP) as the cathode exhibit superior rate capability and prolonged cycling durability. This innovation highlights considerable progress in attaining a stable Li anode, providing a significant advancement toward the practical application of lithium metal batteries (LMBs).