In-situ polymerization of PDMS-SiO2 layer for high performance lithium metal batteries

The artificial protective layer plays a crucial role in lithium metal batteries (LMBs), however, fabrication of such a thin and durable coating on surface of lithium anode remains challenge. In this study, a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mixing SiO layer with ultrathin thickness of 1.5 μm is fabricated on the surface of Li using in-situ polymerization. The PDMS-SiO (PSA) protective layer boasts high ion transference number and hydrophobicity, more interesting, PSA promotes the anion deposition with the formation of LiF-rich SEI, which resists the dendrite growth and corrosion for Li metal. By coupling with LiFePO cathode, the full cell displays a capacity of 138.7 mAh g at 1 C and remains 107 mAh g even at 5 C. Furthermore, it exhibits excellent performance in Li-O battery (LOBs) with 105 times cycling life, which even run stably for at least 100 times in the electrolyte with 6000 ppm H O. This research offers technical support for the practical application of lithium metal batteries even under harsh conditions. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Inc.]