The stability of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers is critical for developing lithium (Li) metal batteries. However, the fabrication of stable SEI layers is plagued by un-controlled structures, properties, and functions. Here a controllable design of an ordered LiF-rich and lithiophilic hybrid Janus interphase (LiF-HJI) is reported using organic fluorination reagent as a functional SEI precursor. The LiF-HJI with a lower crystalline LiF layer and an upper Li organosulfide layer provides high interfacial energy with the Li metal and strong Li-ion affinity, allows homogenous Li-ion distribution, fast and uniform Li-ion transport, and excellent mechanical and passivation properties, enabling stable Li metal anodes under harsh conditions, such as high deposition capacities (6 mA h cm-2 ), current densities (10 mA cm-2 ), and rates (5 C). Stable LiF-HJI@Li greatly improves cycling stability and capacity retention (80.1% after 300 cycles) of Li||LiNi0.8 Co0.1 Mn0.1 O2 cells at a commercial-level areal capacity (≈4.2 mA h cm-2 ). Even under a lean-electrolyte condition of 3 g Ah-1 , 80% capacity retention can be maintained after 100 cycles, demonstrating excellent cycling performance under such harsh conditions.
Keywords: batteries; hybrid Janus interphase; interfacial energy; lithium metal anodes; solid electrolyte interphase.
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