Dynamic Evolution and Effective Tuning of Lithium Dendrites Revealed by Phase Field Model and 2D Numerical Simulation

Lithium dendrites are widely acknowledged as the main culprit of the degradation of performance in various Li-based batteries. Studying the mechanism of lithium dendrite formation is challenging because of the high reactivity of lithium metal. In this work, a phase field model and in situ observation experiments were used to study the growth kinetics and morphologies of lithium dendrites in terms of anisotropy, temperature, and potential difference. Subsequently, a 2D numerical simulation has been developed to illustrate the impact of microscopic parameters, such as electrolyte potential, current distribution, and anode overpotential, on the growth of lithium dendrites after nucleation. Meanwhile, the influence of electrode interface, charging rate, and charging mode on lithium dendrites was also studied using the 2D model and in situ experiments. This work provides comprehensive insights into the kinetics of dendrite formation and morphologies, offering an important theoretical reference for the safety and long-life applications of batteries.