Skip to main content
. 2021 Sep 20;12:5537. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-25848-1

Fig. 1. Schematic of the dual functionality of an electron-deficient carbon surface.

Fig. 1

Pristine carbon fiber electrode with a graphitic surface (p-CP) forming a nonuniform SEI (blue layer) and dendritic Li deposit (silver color protrusion), and defective carbon layer-decorated carbon fiber electrode (d-CP) inducing a defect-free SEI and dendrite-free Li morphology. Suppression of electron transfer to the electrolyte on the defective carbon surface of d-CP via a lower Fermi level (larger work function) in contrast to the graphitic carbon surface of p-CP. Orbital hybridization between the lithium deposits and carbon defects on the defective carbon surface of d-CP due to its low Fermi level.