Protecting Lithium Metal Anodes in Solid-State Batteries

Yuxi Zhong; Xiaoyu Yang; Ruiqi Guo; Liqing Zhai; Xinran Wang; Feng Wu; Chuan Wu; Ying Bai

doi:10.1007/s41918-024-00230-z

Electrochemical Energy Reviews ›› 2024, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (1) DOI: 10.1007/s41918-024-00230-z

Review Article

Protecting Lithium Metal Anodes in Solid-State Batteries

Yuxi Zhong ¹
, Xiaoyu Yang ¹
, Ruiqi Guo ¹^,²
, Liqing Zhai ¹^,²
, Xinran Wang ¹^,²^,^e
, Feng Wu ¹^,²
, Chuan Wu ¹^,²^,^g
, Ying Bai ¹^,²^,^h

Author information +

¹Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, 100081, Beijing, China

²Yangtze Delta Region Academy of Beijing Institute of Technology, 314019, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China

^e wangxinran@bit.edu.cn

^g chuanwu@bit.edu.cn

^h membrane@bit.edu.cn

Yuxi Zhong

received her Bachelor’s degree from Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) in 2021. She is currently a Master candidate under the supervision of Prof. Chuan Wu at School of Materials Science and Engineering, BIT. Her research interests include the design and application of high-performance solid-state electrolytes for solid-state lithium-metal batteries.

Xiaoyu Yang

received her Master’s degree from Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) in 2022. Her research interests focus on the design of organic-inorganic composite solid-state electrolytes for solid-state lithium-metal batteries.

Ruiqi Guo

received his Master’s degree from Qingdao University in 2021. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate supervised by Prof. Chuan Wu in Yangtze Delta Region Academy of Beijing Institute of Technology (Jiaxing). His research interests focus on the design of high-performance sulfide electrolytes and interfacial-compatible electrodes for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries.

Liqing Zhai

received her Bachelor’s degree from Zhengzhou University in 2021. She is currently a Master candidate in Yangtze Delta Region Academy of Beijing Institute of Technology (Jiaxing). Her research interests focus on the design of high-performance solid polymer electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries.

Xinran Wang

is a special professor at Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT). His interests focus on electrochemical energy storage and conversion, especially key materials for solid-state batteries. He received his Ph.D. degree in Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2016 with two-year visiting scholar experience in Georgia Institute of Technology, USA. Dr. Wang was awarded Dean Fellowship of Chinese Academy of Science in 2016 and Ministry High-Level Leading Talent in 2022.

Feng Wu

is the director of the Green Energy Research Institute, and the vice president of the China Battery Industry Association. Dr. Wu has hosted three consecutive phases of National Key Programs for Basic Research of China (973 projects) as the chief scientist. Dr. Wu has published over 600 peer reviewed papers and been authorized over 100 patents. Dr. Wu was awarded the International Battery Materials Association (IBA) Scientific Achievement Award in 2012, and was elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy in 2017.

Chuan Wu

is a professor at Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) and fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Dr. Wu has long been engaged in the multielectron transfer-based energy materials and new solid-state battery systems. He received his Ph.D. degree in Applied Chemistry from BIT in 2002, followed by two-year postdoctoral fellowship at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dr. Wu was awarded Beijing Nova Program Award in 2009, New Century Excellent Talents in 2012 and National High-Level Leading Talent in 2022.

Ying Bai

is a professor at Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) and fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Dr. Bai’s research interests include electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies, and received her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Chemistry from Harbin Institute of Technology, China, in 1997. Dr. Bai received her Ph.D. degree from the School of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, BIT in 2003, and was awarded the New Century Outstanding Talent by the Ministry of Education in 2013. Dr. Bai has hosted the Special Foundation for State Major Basic Research and National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Show less

History +

PDF

Abstract

Lithium metal is considered a highly promising anode material because of its low reduction potential and high theoretical specific capacity. However, lithium metal is prone to irreversible side reactions with liquid electrolytes, resulting in the consumption of metallic lithium and electrolytes due to the high reactivity of lithium metal. The uneven plating/stripping of lithium ions leads to the growth of lithium dendrites and battery safety risks, hindering the further development and commercial application of lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Constructing solid-state electrolyte (SSE) systems with high mechanical strength and low flammability is among the most effective strategies for suppressing dendrite growth and improving the safety of LMBs. However, the structural defects, intrinsic ionic conductivity, redox potential and solid-solid contacts of SSEs can cause new electrochemical problems and solid-phase dendrite growth drawbacks in the application of solid-state batteries (SSBs). In this review, the mechanisms of lithium dendrite growth in SSEs are comprehensively summarized. Strategies to suppress lithium dendrite growth, stabilize the interface, and enhance ion transport in organic, inorganic and composite SSEs are emphasized. We conclude with not only relevant experimental findings but also computational predictions to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize the ionic conductivity, interfacial stability and other properties of SSEs based on both chemical and physical principles. The development direction and urgent problems of SSEs are summarized and discussed.

Graphical Abstract

Cite this article

Download citation ▾

Yuxi Zhong, Xiaoyu Yang, Ruiqi Guo, Liqing Zhai, Xinran Wang, Feng Wu, Chuan Wu, Ying Bai. Protecting Lithium Metal Anodes in Solid-State Batteries. Electrochemical Energy Reviews, 2024, 7(1): DOI:10.1007/s41918-024-00230-z