Self‐Suppression of Lithium Dendrite with Aluminum Nitride Nanoflake Additive in 3D Carbon Paper for Lithium Metal Batteries

Lithium metal anodes, which deliver high specific capacity, low electrochemical potential, and low density have been considered as the most ideal anode material for Li secondary batteries. However, the development of Li anodes is limited by Li dendrite formation, infinite volume effects, and unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers. Herein, aluminum nitride (AlN) nanoflakes as an additive to stabilized Li plating, and carbon paper (CP) as three‐dimensional (3D) current collector to alleviate volume effect, are reported. The stabilization is attributed to the higher binding energy between Li and the AlN nanoflakes and a preferential adsorption on the AlN nanoflake surface compared to copper (Cu) and CP surface during Li plating. With the combination of the AlN nanoflake additive and 3D CP current collector, both dendritic Li and volume effects are remarkably inhibited. An aluminum nitride (AlN) nanoflake additive stabilizes Li plating and is attributed to the higher binding energy between Li and the AlN nanoflakes and a preferential adsorption on the AlN nanoflake surface compared to copper and carbon paper current collectors during Li plating. Homogeneous and host Li deposition and a dendrite‐free anode boost the cycling performance for the LiS batteries.