Electrochemical Atomic Force Microscopy Study on the Dynamic Evolution of Lithium Deposition

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Battery Technology

Background:

• Lithium metal anodes are crucial for next-generation lithium-ion batteries due to their high energy density.
• Lithium dendrite formation during cycling is a major obstacle to the practical application of lithium metal anodes.
• The precise mechanism of lithium dendrite growth remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dynamic evolution of lithium deposition in different electrolyte systems.
• To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of lithium dendrite formation.
• To provide a theoretical framework for mitigating dendrite growth in lithium metal batteries.

Main Methods:

• Utilized in situ electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM) combined with an electrochemical workstation.
• Examined lithium deposition processes in both etheryl-based and ethylene carbonate (EC)-based electrolytes.
• Observed and analyzed the morphological changes during lithium particle growth.

Main Results:

• Identified and characterized three distinct lithium particle growth modes: preferential, merged, and independent growth.
• Captured the dynamic evolution of lithium deposition at the nanoscale.
• Developed a schematic model illustrating the morphological changes during lithium deposition.

Conclusions:

• The study clarifies the dynamic evolution and growth mechanisms of lithium deposition.
• Proposed lithium deposition schematic provides a theoretical basis for understanding and addressing dendrite issues.
• Findings pave the way for developing strategies to suppress lithium dendrite growth and enable safer, high-performance lithium metal batteries.