Adhesive Solid Electrolyte Interphase via Direct Contact Formation

A structure for electrochemical cells includes a conductive sheet, a layer of conductive nanomaterial, such as carbon nanotubes, on the sheet's surface, and a dry, ionically conductive adhesive, comprising a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), binding the nanomaterial. A method forms the structure by coating a conductor with the nanomaterial, wetting it with an electrolyte solution, and decomposing the electrolyte, often via electrode contact, to create the SEI. The SEI enhances mechanical resilience and uniform lithium plating, reducing safety risks in lithium-metal batteries. The scalable process simplifies electrode fabrication, supporting high-performance, durable anodes for electrochemical applications.