Towards High Energy Density Anode-less Lithium Metal Batteries: A Study of Lithium Dendrites Suppression and Elimination

Abstract

Rechargeable Li-ion batteries for the market of electrical vehicles, portable equipment for entertainment, computing and telecommunication surge for the past decades, but the increasing demands introduce great challenges towards future battery systems that require higher energy and power density, improved safety as well as a longer lifespan. Lithium metal batteries can deliver higher energy densities compared with commercialized LIBs but the practical applications have been hindered due to the growth of lithium dendrites in liquid lithium metal batteries. The uncontrollable dendrite leads to the repeated formation of solid electrolyte interphase, irreversible capacity loss, short circuits, and safety hazards with liquid electrolytes. Compared to liquid electrolytes, solid-state electrolytes might be a better choice, but the reliance of ionic diffusion at the contact of solid particles is crucial presenting a major challenge. Moreover, the effective use of high capacity cathodes in combination with Li metal in a solid-state battery is another big challenge for future battery development. Therefore, to unlock the full potential of LMBs with high energy density and safe operation, it is imperative to devote efforts in solid-state batteries design. This thesis aims to search effective methods for enabling safe and high-energy-density solid-state Li metal batteries, starting from the developments of new concepts in liquid-based batteries and heading for an anode less Li metal solid-state battery configuration step by step.