Constructing 3D Porous Current Collectors for Stable and Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Anodes

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are considered promising candidates for the next-generation rechargeable batteries due to the ultrahigh theoretical specific capacity (3860 mAh g(-1)) and the lowest negative electrochemical potential (-3.040 V versus the standard hydrogen anode) of lithium metal. However, the practical application of LMBs has been hindered by various serious challenges, especially the low cycling stability of lithium anodes due to the uncontrolled growth of lithium dendrites, unstable solid-electrolyte interphase, and excessive volume change of lithium metal. 3D lithium metal anodes with reduced local current density and alleviated volume expansion can be used to improve the safety performance of LMBs. The design of various 3D structures is therefore critical to achieve high-performance lithium metal anodes. This review summarizes recent advances of several important 3D porous structures such as foam structures, parallel arrays, interweaved structures, coiled structures, Janus structures, gradient structures, and alloy frameworks for stable and dendrite-free lithium metal anodes. The constructing strategies and modification methods of 3D lithium metal anodes are discussed in detail. The design and construction of novel 3D porous current collectors are expected to provide promising opportunities for the next-generation of high-energy-density LMBs.