Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Anode Technologies

Lithium metal anodes offer the highest theoretical capacity and lowest electrochemical potential of all candidate anode materials, promising a transformative increase in energy density for next-generation rechargeable batteries. However, the spontaneous formation of dendritic lithium during repeated charge–discharge cycles poses significant safety and performance challenges. Dendrites can pierce the separator, causing internal short circuits and thermal runaway, and they also contribute to the continuous consumption of active lithium and electrolyte, undermining cycle life and Coulombic efficiency. To mitigate these issues, research has focused on engineering artificial solid electrolyte interphase layers, designing three-dimensional conductive hosts, and optimising electrolyte formulations to regulate lithium deposition. Artificial interphases based on ceramics, polymers or hybrid composites can suppress dendrite protrusion by creating uniform ion flux and mechanical reinforcement at the interface. Three-dimensional hosts, constructed from lithiophilic carbon frameworks, metal foams or ceramic scaffolds, lower local current density and accommodate volume changes, guiding lithium to deposit in a compact and even manner. Electrolyte additives and high-concentration electrolyte systems further stabilise the solid electrolyte interphase and reduce side reactions. Collectively, these strategies have advanced lithium metal anodes from laboratory demonstrations towards practical application in high-energy-density battery prototypes for electric vehicles, portable electronics and grid storage.

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Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Anode Technologies publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in dendrite-free lithium metal anode technologies across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Dendrite: A needle-like lithium deposit formed during electrochemical cycling that can penetrate the separator and cause short circuits.

Solid electrolyte interphase (SEI): A passivating layer of decomposition products at the electrode–electrolyte interface that governs lithium transport and stability.

Lithiophilicity: The affinity of a host material to nucleate and bond with lithium ions, promoting uniform deposition.

Coulombic efficiency: The ratio of lithium ions extracted during discharge to those inserted during charge, indicating charge–discharge reversibility.

Host: A three-dimensional conductive scaffold that guides lithium plating, reduces local current density and accommodates volume changes.

References

1. Emerging Carbon Nanotube‐Based Nanomaterials for Stable and Dendrite‐Free Alkali Metal Anodes: Challenges, Strategies, and Perspectives. Energy & Environmental Materials (2023).
2. Self-standing TiC-modified carbon fibre electrodes derived from cellulose and their use as an ultrahigh efficiency lithium metal anode. Journal of Materials Chemistry A (2023).
3. A Combined Lithium Intercalation and Plating Mechanism Using Conductive Carbon‐Fiber Electrodes. Batteries & Supercaps (2022).