Abstract

Solid-state batteries have the potential to transform energy storage by providing significantly higher energy densities and improved safety compared to conventional Li-ion batteries. However, robust high-capacity Li metal anodes are required to realize this technology. Current Li metal anode designs suffer from significant degradation over time due to non-uniform Li plating/stripping and loss of contact with the solid electrolyte during cycling. Carbon scaffold hosts have been shown to mitigate this problem in liquid electrolyte systems by creating a uniform electric field and providing abundant Li nucleation sites, but they have not been well explored in solid-state systems, which require the fabrication of more complicated mixed ion/electron conducting scaffolds to provide transport of both Li ions and electrons throughout the anode. We investigated the effect of scaffold architecture and chemistry on Li morphology and electrochemical performance using a combined experiment/theory approach. Scaffolds were characterized by SEM, Raman, and XPS before cycling in cells to evaluate their performance as hosts for Li plating/stripping. Atomistic and mesoscale modeling were used to help predict Li nucleation and current density hotspots and assist in guiding scaffold design. This work provides further insight into the relationship between anode design and Li metal cycling stability and will facilitate the development of safer, high-energy-density solid-state batteries.Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is operated by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

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