The Boundary-Like Defect Type Vertical Graphene Enhances the Stability of Lithium Metal Batteries

Abstract

The growth of lithium dendrites has been regarded as the biggest challenge for lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Vertical graphene (VG) is a promising inhibitor against lithium dendrites. However, there is no research on the effects of various defect types of VG on LMBs. Herein, we grew different defect types of VG on copper foam as LMBs anode and then studied their electrochemical properties in detail. As the synthesis temperature increases, the density of carbon nanosheets (CNS) gradually rises, causing the VG to transition from vacancy-like type to boundary-like type. The cycling test shows that the boundary-like type electrode exhibits the highest coulombic efficiency exceeding 97.9% after 200 cycles at 5 mA cm⁻² among various defect type electrodes. The superior electrochemical performance of the boundary-like type electrodes is attributed to their high defect content and abundant edge defects, which provide numerous nucleation sites for lithium and promote uniform deposition. Additionally, the unique three-dimensional morphology of VG offers sufficient space for lithium deposition, effectively inhibiting the growth of lithium dendrites. This study highlights that boundary-like type VG can effectively enhance the stability of LMBs, and provides a new idea for the application of VG to the anode of LMBs.

Keywords

defect type / lithium dendrites / LMBs anode / vertical graphene

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2025 The Author(s). Battery Energy published by Xijing University and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.