LMBs are widely regarded as the next generation of energy storage devices because of their high anode specific energy density of 3860 Ah kg-1. However, the long-term operation of LMBs is hindered by the uncontrolled deposition process of Li due to the unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formed when Li contacts the electrolyte. The key to improving battery cycling performance is stabilizing the Li electrode.
Polymer coatings on Li can address issues related to each step of heterogenous Li deposition. In this talk, I will highlight three mechanisms by which polymer coatings can improve lithium metal anode performance: 1) maintaining uniform coverage to prevent pinholes; 2) homogenizing charge distribution; and 3) regulating reactions at the interface to improve the SEI chemistry. I will dive deep into how each mechanism is realized by molecular level design. Lastly, I will discuss the performance of polymer coatings when paired with different electrolytes and lay out future directions towards designing polymers for advanced electrolytes.
