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Self-heating-induced healing of lithium dendrites
Lu Li1, Swastik Basu1, Yiping Wang2
1Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 31, 2018
Summary
High current densities can surprisingly heal lithium dendrites in rechargeable batteries. This self-healing mechanism enables stable cycling of lithium-sulfur batteries with improved efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Lithium metal electrodes are crucial for high-energy-density rechargeable batteries.
- Dendrite growth during lithium plating/stripping causes battery failure and safety concerns.
- This issue is typically worsened by high current densities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate an unusual regime of lithium dendrite evolution.
- To explore the potential of high current densities for dendrite mitigation.
- To enable safe and efficient cycling of lithium-sulfur batteries.
Main Methods:
- Experimental investigation of lithium plating and stripping at varying current densities.
- Monitoring dendrite morphology and surface evolution.
- Applying high-current-density treatments to lithium metal electrodes.
- Cycling lithium-sulfur batteries with treated electrodes.
Main Results:
- A critical current density threshold (~9 mA/cm²) was identified for dendrite self-healing.
- High current densities induce self-heating, promoting lithium surface migration and healing.
- Repeated high-current-density treatments effectively smoothed lithium surfaces.
- Demonstrated safe cycling of lithium-sulfur batteries with high coulombic efficiency.
Conclusions:
- High current densities can reverse the detrimental effects of dendrite growth through self-healing.
- This novel approach offers a pathway for deploying dendrite-free lithium metal anodes.
- Enables the development of safer, high-performance rechargeable batteries, particularly lithium-sulfur systems.
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