Fabricating Lithium Metal Foils with Desired Morphology

Abstract

Rechargeable lithium batteries (RLB) are the hope for the next generation energy storage and power source systems due to the promise to achieve the highest specific energy. Reliable performance of RLB, particularly with long lifespan, requires high quality lithium metal anode that can withstand repetitive stripping and deposition during cycle aging. Fabricating lithium metal of desired thickness is thus critical to enable and achieve high specific energy design. Morphology of lithium metal foil with densely packed large grains is desired. To consistently reach the desired morphology in practice is however difficult. Such a difficulty challenges us from the lack of proper understanding of lithium deposition at the fundamental level. Recent understanding on lithium nucleation and growth gave us a new perspective to formulate and achieve proper morphological control, which might lead to a new pathway for desired lithium metal foil fabrication technique.