Figure 6. Importance of mechanical stability of 3D-conductive interlayer.

(a) Time-voltage profiles of the coin-type Li|Li symmetric cells with the bare Li, CFP/Li and FMF/Li electrodes for 200 hours at 10 mA cm⁻² (charging/discharging = 1 h/1 h). SEM images obtained from the disassembled Li|Li symmetric cells; (b) bare Li and (c) CFP/Li after cell failure and, (d) FMF/Li after 100 hours. In Fig. 6b, the yellow arrows indicate the large cracks in the porous Li layer, resulting from its poor integrity. Inset of Fig. 6c shows the carbon fibre fracture observed at the surface region of CFP/Li electrode. Inset of Fig. 6d presents the SS fibres embedded in the cycled FMF/Li electrode.