Zinc atoms introduction alloying to the artificial interface protection layer for ultra-stable LiB alloy anodes

The lithium-boron (LiB) alloy has more excellent electrochemical performance and more practical applied prospects than pure Li as anode due to its three-dimensional skeleton with a low mass burden. Nevertheless, its rectification ability of Li ions (Li+) flux remains to be further improved. Herein, a low-cost and convenient solution immersion strategy focusing on LiB alloy is developed to obtain lithium-boron-zinc (LiBZn) alloy. The lithium-zinc (LiZn) alloy can make up for the insufficiency of LiB alloy from the point of unifying Li+ flux. The experimental and theoretical simulations prove that the LiZn alloy protection layer can guide homogeneous Li+ distribution and regulate Li deposition on the interface to inhibit dendrite growth effectively. Specifically, the pre-prepared LiBZn can cycle stably for 1800 h with a minimum overpotential of 14 mV at 1 mA cm-2 and 1 mAh cm-2, exhibiting relatively low overpotential and stability in the rate performance (the maximum current density up to 5 mA cm-2), and the enhanced cyclability in the full cell system paired with NCM811 demonstrates its practical application effect. This facile and controllable strategy illuminates a more applicatory technical path for Li metal-based alloy anodes.