Graphitic Carbon Nitride Induced Micro-Electric Field for Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Anodes

Abstract

Uncontrolled dendrites resulting from nonuniform lithium (Li) nucleation/growth and Li volume expansion during charging cause serious safety problems for Li anode‐based batteries. Here the coating of nickel foam with graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) to have a 3D current collector (g‐C3N4@Ni foam) for dendrite‐free Li metal anodes is reported. The lithiophilic g‐C3N4 coupled with the 3D framework is demonstrated to be highly effective for promoting the uniform deposition of Li and suppressing the formation of dendrites. Both density functional theory calculations and experimental studies indicate the formation of a micro‐electric field resulting from the tri‐s‐triazine units of g‐C3N4, which..