Tailored Fluorine-Rich MXene with Interlayer Architecture for Enhanced Stability in Anode-Free Lithium Metal Batteries

In this study, we introduce a strategically engineered MXene design, ZF-MX, optimized for application as a host in anode-free lithium metal batteries (AFLMBs). Leveraging ZnF2 as an etchant, ZF-MX features a fluorine-rich surface, integrated Zn2+ ions, and increased interlayer spacing. The incorporation of Zn2+ ions on the MXene surface enhances Li+ ion diffusion kinetics while suppressing dendrite formation, ensuring dense Li deposition. Furthermore, the fluorine-rich surface contributes to stable interfacial chemistry, enabling long-term cycling with minimal side reactions. As a result, ZF-MX exhibited exceptional cycling stability, sustaining over 700 h of operation, coupled with high Coulombic efficiency and significantly reduced nucleation overpotential. These results demonstrate an innovative approach for tailoring MXene materials for dendrite-free Li cycling, offering opportunities for high-energy-density AFLMBs.