Lithium Metal Anode for High-Power and High-Capacity Rechargeable Batteries

Abstract

Because lithium metal exhibits high specific capacity and low potential, it is the best candidate for fabricating anodes for batteries. Rechargeable batteries fabricated using lithium anode exhibit high capacity and high potential cathode; these can be potentially used to fabricate high energy density batteries (>500 Wh kg–1) that can be used for the development of next-generation electric vehicles. However, the formation and growth of lithium dendrites and the low coulombic efficiency recorded during lithium plating and stripping under conditions of high current density hinder the use of lithium metal as the anodic material for the development of practical rechargeable batteries. In this short review, we outline the current status and prospects of lithium anodes for fabricating batteries in the presence of non-aqueous liquid, polymer, and solid electrolytes operated under conditions of high current density.