Revitalizing metal anodes for rechargeable batteries confronts challenges such as dendrite formation, limited cyclicity, and suboptimal energy density. Despite various efforts, a practical fabrication method for dendrite-free metal anodes remains unavailable. Herein, focusing on Li as exemplar, a general strategy is reported to enhance reversibility of the metal anodes by forming alloyed metals, which is achieved by induction heating of 3D substrate, lithiophilic metals, and Li within tens of seconds. It is demonstrated that preferred alloying interactions between substrates and lithiophilic metals created a lithiophilic metal-rich region adjacent to the substrate, serving as ultrastable lithiophilic host to guide dendrite-free deposition, particularly during prolonged high-capacity cycling. Simultaneously, an alloying between lithiophilic metals and Li creates a Li-rich region adjacent to electrolyte that reduces nucleation overpotential and constitutes favorable electrolyte-Li interface. The resultant composite Li anodes paired with high areal loading LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathodes achieve superior cycling stability and remarkable energy density above 1200 Wh L-1 (excluding packaging). Furthermore, this approach shows broader applicability to other metal anodes plagued by dendrite-related challenges, such as Na and Zn. Overall, this work paves the way for development of commercially viable metal-based batteries that offer a combination of safety, high energy density, and durability.
Keywords: alloyed metal anodes; induction heating; lithiophilic metals; metal batteries.
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