Chemical dealloying pore structure control of porous copper current collector for dendrite-free lithium anode

Lithium (Li) metal is considered to be the most ideal anode for rechargeable Li-metal batteries due to its high theoretical specific capacity and low redox potential. However, the Li dendrite problem associated with Li metal anodes limits its practical application. Herein, a new chemical dealloying method that adjust the pore structure formed during chemical dealloying at room temperature to prepare a porous Copper current collector which was to enable dendrite-free Li deposition. Benefiting from the naturally formed suitable size and uniform porous structure, this current collector provides larger surface area to homogenize the Li ion distribution and promote dendrite-free Li metal anode with improved Coulombic efficiency (96% for over 210 cycles at the current density of 0.5 mA cm(-2) and 95% for 80 cycles at 1.0 mA cm(-2)). This work provides a novel way to suppress Li dendrite.