Scientists in South Korea have successfully developed a novel type of anode-free lithium metal battery, boasting an impressive volumetric energy density of up to 1270 Wh/L. This figure is roughly double that of the prevalent lithium-ion batteries currently powering electric vehicles. By doing away with the conventional anode, this innovative battery enables lithium ions to directly deposit onto the copper current collector during the charging process, thereby markedly enhancing the energy density.

The research team ingeniously combined a reversible host material with a tailored electrolyte to tackle challenges like the growth of lithium dendrites and battery degradation. Experimental results indicate that the battery maintains 81.9% of its initial capacity even after 100 charge-discharge cycles, with an average Coulombic efficiency reaching 99.6%. This significant breakthrough holds the promise of doubling the driving range of electric vehicles. The relevant research findings have been published in the esteemed journal Advanced Materials.