Fig. 3: Ex situ interface characterizations of cycled Li metal electrodes.

Top and cross-sectional view SEM images of platted Li metal on Cu foil at 0.5 mA cm−2 with the capacity of 5 mAh cm−2 in DME-2M (a, b) and TMEE-2M (c, d) electrolytes. e The cycling performance of Li||Li symmetrical cells in different electrolytes at 2 mA cm−2 with the capacity of 2 mAh cm−2. SEM images of Li foils before (f) and after 100 plating/striping cycles in Li||Li symmetrical cells with DME-2M (g) and TMEE-2M (h) electrolytes. Investigation of the morphology and roughness of plated Li in DME-2M (i) and TMEE-2M (j) electrolytes via AFM. Monitoring the surface modulus of SEIs formed in DME-2M (k) and TMEE-2M (l) electrolytes.