Co–Mo alloy oxide decorated carbon cloth as lithium host for dendrite-free lithium metal anode

Abstract

Lithium metal batteries are a promising energy storage solution for next-generation high-efficiency and high-energy-density batteries due to their ultrahigh theoretical capacity (3860 mA h g⁻¹) and low anode potential (−3.04 V vs. the standard hydrogen electrode). Unfortunately, severe safety hazards have been caused by Li dendrite growth during long-term cycling. Here, we have designed a controllable and electrolyte-wetted composite anode via molten Li infusion into Co–Mo alloy oxide layer (CMO)-coated commercial carbon cloth (CC). Benefiting from the superior lithiophilicity of Co–Mo alloy oxides, the composite anode allows the fast infusion of molten Li at a low temperature of 250 °C. Symmetrical cells assembled with composite anodes afford stable cycling for 2500 h at 1 mA cm⁻² with 1 mA h cm⁻². Full cells coupled with an LiFePO₄ (LFP) cathode delivered a reversible capacity of 139.36 mA h g⁻¹ after 500 cycles. In this work, we present a systematic study of the effect of the Co–Mo alloy oxide layer on carbon cloth on battery performance. Moreover, we not only prepared a dendrite-free lithium metal composite anode, but also provided a new strategy for the controllable modification of an alloy oxide layer on a current collector.