Revitalizing Lithium Metal Batteries: Strategies for Tackling Dead Lithium Formation and Reactivation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) offer high energy density but face challenges with lithium dendrite and dead lithium formation.
• Dead lithium, or electrically isolated lithium metal, significantly reduces Coulombic efficiency and battery lifespan.
• The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) repeatedly forms, contributing to inactive lithium accumulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the challenges posed by dead lithium in LMBs.
• To explore advanced characterization techniques for inactive lithium.
• To discuss strategies for activating or suppressing dead lithium to restore capacity.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of dead lithium issues in LMBs.
• Analysis of advanced characterization techniques for inactive lithium.
• Synthesis of strategies for dead lithium management.

Main Results:

• Dead lithium formation, particularly isolated lithium and repeated SEI generation, is a key issue in LMBs.
• Various advanced techniques can characterize inactive lithium.
• Strategies exist to activate, reuse, or prevent dead lithium, enhancing battery performance.

Conclusions:

• Addressing dead lithium is crucial for improving the efficiency and safety of LMBs.
• Activation and prevention strategies offer pathways to practical Li metal anode applications.
• Further research in dead lithium management will advance next-generation battery technologies.