Interelectrode Talk in Solid-State Lithium-Metal Batteries

Solid-state lithium-metal batteries have been identified as a strategic research direction for the electric vehicle industry because of their promising high energy density and potential characteristic safety. However, the intrinsic mechanical properties of solid materials cause inevitable electro-chemo-mechanical failure of electrodes and electrolytes during charging and discharging; these failure mechanisms include lithium penetration and formation of cracks and voids, which pose a serious challenge for the long cycle life of solid-state lithium-metal batteries. Here, a short overview of the recent advances with a view to understand this challenge is provided. Furthermore, new insights into the cross-talk behavior between the cathode and lithium-metal anode are provided based on the non-uniform Li⁺ flux inducing interactional electro-chemo-mechanical failure. Furthermore, guidelines for designing stable solid-state lithium-metal batteries and research directions to figure out the interelectrode-talk-related electro-chemo-mechanical failure mechanism are presented, which can be significant for accelerating the development of solid-state lithium batteries.