Fig. 1
Schematic and electrical potential profiles of the NW-based anodes. a, b Schematics of a half-cell with a general NW anode on a current collector (a) and a half-cell with an NW anode enclosed by PS (b) paired with counter electrodes. An external load drives the NW anode to become lithiated. c Schematics and corresponding FEA simulation results of electrical potential profiles across the electrolyte and NW anode for the case in a, during the first charging cycle. SEI formation and lithiation start at a potential below the VSEI and the VLith, respectively. d Schematic and corresponding electrical potential profiles across the outer electrolyte, electrode (PS, NW anode), and inner electrolyte for the case in b during the first charging. Inside the space enclosed by the PS, the potentials across the electrode and electrolyte became nearly equivalent, thereby suppressing SEI formation on the NW surface and lithiation at the electrolyte and NW interface
