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Vol. 18 (2026)

Expediting Lithium Electrochemistry via a Bilayer for High-Rate Lithium Metal Batteries

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02146-3
Dongjoo Park
School of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
Dong‑Wan Kim
School of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea

Corresponding Author: Dong‑Wan Kim

dwkim1@korea.ac.kr

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 18 (2026), Article Number: 292

Abstract

The intrinsic characteristics of the Li metal anode, particularly its ultra-high specific capacity (3860 mAh g−1) and low redox potential (−3.04 V vs. SHE), theoretically make it ideal for high-rate charge/discharge operations. However, the high Li self-diffusion barrier causes uncontrolled plating/stripping dynamics and severe volume fluctuations, hindering stable performance at elevated current densities. In this study, we introduced an artificial solid-electrolyte interphase (ASEI) engineered with a bilayer that transcends conventional planar deposition, facilitating Li nucleation and growth along three-dimensional electronic percolation pathways. This spatially distributed, lateral plating morphology significantly reduced charge-transfer resistance, suppressed dendrite formation, and mitigated cell degradation under high charging currents. Consequently, the ASEI-enabled Li metal electrode maintained low overpotentials at an areal capacity of 10 mAh cm−2 and a current density of 20 mA cm−2 for over 300 h, while demonstrating outstanding rate capability and long-term cyclability in LiFePO4(LFP)‖Li and LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811)‖Li full cells. By elucidating these intrinsic anode behaviors, our findings establish a fundamental design strategy for high-rate performance, potentially advancing the commercialization of Li metal batteries.


Highlights:
1 The bilayer combines an electron‐conductive framework and an ion‐conductive layer that facilitates Li⁺ transport, effectively separating charge pathways for enhanced electrochemical stability.
2 Porous fibers with uniformly dispersed Ag nanoparticles provide nucleation sites for uniform Li plating and a 3D network that suppresses dendrite growth.
3 The BL–Li anode shows a low overpotential of ≈120 mV at 20 mA cm⁻² and 10 mAh cm⁻², sustaining smooth Li deposition and stripping for over 300 h under high‐rate cycling.

Keywords

Lithium metal batteries Lithium dendrites Intermetallic lithium alloying Electrospinning High rate
Park, Dongjoo, and Dong‑Wan Kim. 2026. “Expediting Lithium Electrochemistry via a Bilayer for High-Rate Lithium Metal Batteries”. Nano-Micro Letters 18 (March):292. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02146-3.
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