Effects of Cu Surface Area and Microtexture on Lithium Plating in Anode‐Less Batteries

Abstract

Anode-less lithium metal battery (ALLMB) technology relies on the development of current collectors capable of efficiently hosting metallic lithium during cycling. This work investigate in depth the role of surface area and microtexture in governing the lithium plating process, with particular attention to how surface texturing interacts in the presence of an interlayer on copper substrates. The study systematically examines the correlation between laser-induced surface modifications and the formation of a Cu2O interlayer, aiming to clarify how these factors influence nucleation behavior and lithium deposition uniformity. The results reveal that the naturally formed Cu2O interlayer on copper significantly masks the beneficial effects of a 3D textured surface, leading to plating behavior that was unexpectedly more favorable on a planar, 2D structure. In contrast, when the interlayer is removed, the intrinsic advantages of the 3D architecture become evident, resulting in markedly improved plating performance compared to its 2D counterpart. Overall, the findings highlight the critical importance of controlling both surface chemistry and microstructural design in anode-less configurations. Understanding the interplay between texturing and interlayer formation provides valuable insights for optimizing current collector engineering and achieving more stable and efficient lithium metal deposition.