Lithium metal is the ideal anode for the next generation of high-energy-density batteries. Nevertheless, dendrite growth, side reactions and infinite relative volume change have prevented it from practical applications. Here, we demonstrate a promising metallic lithium anode design by infusing molten lithium into a polymeric matrix. The electrospun polyimide employed is stable against highly reactive molten lithium and, via a conformal layer of zinc oxide coating to render the surface lithiophilic, molten lithium can be drawn into the matrix, affording a nano-porous lithium electrode. Importantly, the polymeric backbone enables uniform lithium stripping/plating, which successfully confines lithium within the matrix, realizing minimum volume change and effective dendrite suppression. The porous electrode reduces the effective current density; thus, flat voltage profiles and stable cycling of more than 100 cycles is achieved even at a high current density of 5 mA cm(-2) in both carbonate and ether electrolyte. The advantages of the porous, polymeric matrix provide important insights into the design principles of lithium metal anodes.

中文翻译：

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锂包覆的聚合物基体作为最小的体积变化和无枝晶的锂金属阳极。

金属锂是下一代高能量密度电池的理想阳极。然而，枝晶生长，副反应和无限的相对体积变化阻止了它的实际应用。在这里，我们通过将熔融锂注入聚合物基体中展示了一种有前途的金属锂阳极设计。所用的电纺聚酰亚胺对高反应性的熔融锂是稳定的，并且通过氧化锌涂层的保形层使表面具有亲硫性，可以将熔融锂吸入基质中，从而提供纳米多孔锂电极。重要的是，聚合物主链能够实现均匀的锂剥离/镀覆，从而成功地将锂限制在基质中，实现了最小的体积变化和有效的枝晶抑制。多孔电极降低了有效电流密度。因此，即使在碳酸盐和乙醚电解质中都具有5 mA cm（-2）的高电流密度，也可以实现平坦的电压曲线和超过100个周期的稳定循环。多孔聚合物基体的优点为了解锂金属阳极的设计原理提供了重要的见识。