Friction constructing a capacity-compensation interlayer enabled the stable lithium metal batteries

The high-energy-density lithium metal batteries (LMBs) is expected to drive the development of the low-altitude economy and electro vehicles. Nevertheless, the practical application of lithium anodes is hampered by well-known issues of unstable interfacial electrochemistry. For the cathode materials with or without Li in the lithium metal batteries, the mechanisms and problems faced on the interfacial stabilization regulation of the Li anodes are different. Herein, based on in-depth consideration of lithium-free cathode (S) and lithium-containing cathode (NCM811) systems, respectively, we present a friction coating strategy to create an interlayer on the lithium foil anodes (LS@Li and LSe@Li) and lithium boron alloy anodes (LS@LiB and LSe@LiB), which can compensate for sulfur loss and achieve dendrite-free lithium plating. Deeply discuss and reveal the differences of interfacial electrodeposition of LS and LSe interlayers based on the interfacial capacitance. By using this modified interface layer design, we have achieved simultaneous improvement in the performance of both Li||S batteries and Li||NCM811 batteries (lifespan increased by 1.3 times and capacity increased by 1.8 times for Li||S as well as lifespan increased by 2.8 times for Li||NCM811). This strategy forms a stable interlayer based on incomplete mechanochemical reactions, which paves a new way for high-energy-density LMBs. • An incomplete friction chemical process enabled uniform lithium deposition/stripping behavior. • Capacity compensation and stabilization mechanisms of the lithium anode interface in Li||S cell have been proposed. • This modified layer design benefits the performance enhancement of both Li||S batteries and Li||NCM811 batteries.