University of Central Florida Research Foundation Inc

Kun Liang

Yang Yang

Kyle Marcus

Supriya Koul

A process is provided comprising submerging a substrate in an electrochemical deposit bath having at least a metal salt and saccharin. In embodiments, the film is further treated with anodization, and in other cases chemical vapor deposition. Films are also provided formed by the disclosed processes. The films are nanoporous on at least a portion of a surface of the films. Also disclosed are electronic devices having the films disclosed, including lithium-ion batteries, storage devices, supercapacitors, electrodes, semiconductors, fuel cells, and/or combinations thereof.

Production of nanoporous films

Enabling the use of lithium metal as an anode electrode is a key for developing next generation energy storage device beyond current lithium ion battery technology. However, there are major obstacles that need to be overcome before it can be used in commercial applications; specifically, dendrite formation can short the cell, and electrolyte decomposition contributes to decreased battery lifetimes. Each obstacle can be overcome by coating a lithium metal anode with a liquid metal buffer that enables uniform deposition of lithium ions thereon, preventing dendritic growth and forming a stable solid electrolyte interface to separate the lithium metal anode from the electrolyte within a battery cell. The liquid metal buffer becomes a semi-liquid buffer when contributing to forming a solid electrolyte interface, and can regain its liquid state when the lithium ions flow to the cathode of the battery cell.

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Orlando, FL, United States of America

Kun Liang