To satisfy the large market demands for smaller and lighter rechargeable batteries, high-capacity metallic Li has been investigated to replace low specific capacity graphite as a next generation anode material enabling higher energy density in next-generation rechargeable Li metal batteries (LMBs), or all solid-state batteries (ASSBs) with Li metal as the anode. However, aggressive Li metal chemistry makes it challenging to serve as an anode material in LMB and/or ASSBs. The main R&D direction to address these challenges aims to achieve uniform Li deposition during Li plating and stripping to protect the lithium metal anode from dendrite formation. More recently, attention has focused on the design of Li anodes and current collectors, to inhibit the growth of Li dendrites. Lowering the local current density along the anode surface with a high surface area current, or through the addition of anode host materials or through the use of porous lithium-metal anodes could potentially prevent the onset of dendrite nuclei and reduce the speed of dendrite growth. However, many of these designs are often accompanied with increased internal resistance and the loss of active materials. The complicated manufacturing process of these nanostructured materials also restricts their practical application.
LLNL researchers has developed a composite copper current collector formulation readily used in DIW 3D printing to guide lithium-ion plating/dissolution during charging and discharging cycles. The DIW formulation consists of a range of Cu precursor, solvent, metallic additives allowing for an extrudable formulation which can then be printed into 3D-complex architectures or planar films. After heat treatment, the Cu-based metallic current collectors can be used in a similar fashion as traditional electroplated Cu foils as a substrate for the anode electrode in the electrochemical cell.
Image Caption: LLNL scientist Johanna Schwartz has been awarded $60,000 to pursue automated design of next-generation membranes for fuel cells.
Current stage of technology development:
TRL ☐ 0-2 ☒ 3-5 ☐ 5-9
- 3D Printable formulations
- Customizable formulations allow for easy tuning of the current collector electrical properties
- Spatially controlled lithium deposition/stripping during cycling
- Improved battery performance in preliminary testing (>95% Coulombic efficiency at 800 cycles)
- Suitable with solid or liquid electrolytes
- Scalable and low-cost manufacturing using DIW or traditional film casting techniques
- All Solid-State Batteries with Lithium metal anode
- Anode Free Li metal battery
- Consumer Electronics
- Electric Vehicles
