Recent advances in protecting Li-anode via establishing nitrides as stable solid electrolyte interphases

Abstract

The lithium metal battery is regarded as an excellent candidate to meet the demand for high-capacity, reliable, and long-lasting electric energy storage units. However, the growth of dendrites during electrodeposition still significantly hinders the practical application of lithium metal batteries. Lithium nitride (Li3N) modification of the surfaces of Li anodes is regarded as an effective strategy to suppress the growth of lithium dendrites. Based on the previous theoretical understanding and analysis, the strategies of using lithium nitride to construct solid electrolyte interlayers on the surfaces of lithium metal anodes to inhibit dendrite growth in recent years are reviewed, including applying Li3N-based solid electrolyte interphases (SEIs) or artificial solid electrolyte interphases (ASEIs), constructing a nitrogenous microscopic structure, liquid electrolyte modification, and solid electrolyte modification. Furthermore, the characteristics of lithium nitride and its possible shortcomings as SEIs are also concluded. Efforts are made to provide a dependable roadmap to construct more stable SEIs and fabricate better batteries.