Electrode for a lithium metal battery comprising a silica layer containing plate-like porous silica, and a lithium metal battery including the same

Dendrite-suppressing anode using cylindrical mesoporous silica layers to induce lithium electrodeposition

This technology forms a plate-like porous silica (pOMS) layer with cylindrical mesopores on the current collector. During battery operation, lithium ions pass through these pores and are deposited uniformly between the silica layer and the current collector, physically suppressing dendrite growth.

Lithium metal anodes have historically suffered from uneven lithium deposition, leading to dendrite growth, excessive electrolyte consumption, and reduced coulombic efficiency. These issues have compromised battery safety and limited cycle life.

This technology utilizes an insulating silica layer made of hexagonal plate-like porous silica with cylindrical mesopores (2–50 nm in diameter), ensuring that lithium passes through these pores to deposit densely at the current collector interface. Applicable to next-generation lithium metal batteries, anode-free cells, and high-energy power sources for drones and UAMs, it extends the cycle life of lithium metal anodes while minimizing energy density loss by eliminating the need for thick protective layers.

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Key Features:

• A silica layer positioned on the current collector, containing plate-like porous silica, capable of stacking multiple silica layers.
• Hexagonal plate-like porous silica containing cylindrical mesopores with a diameter of 2 to 50 nm.
• Lithium metal contained within the silica layer that passes through the pores during battery operation to deposit on the surface of the current collector.
• An electrolyte filled between the anode, which includes the electrode for a lithium metal battery, and a spaced-apart cathode.

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