Operando Characterization of Dendrite-Free Silver Nanoparticle/Lithium Metal Powder Composite Anodes

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Battery Technology

Background:

• Lithium metal powder (LMP) offers a cost-effective route to thinner, wider lithium metal anodes for high-energy density lithium metal batteries (LMBs).
• Controlling lithium deposition and preventing dendrite formation are critical challenges for LMP-based anodes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a lithiophilic additive on the electrochemical performance of LMP-based lithium metal anodes.
• To elucidate the mechanism by which AgNPs enhance anode stability during cycling.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a composite anode by incorporating AgNPs into LMP.
• Utilizing *operando* microscopy to observe surface morphological changes during electrochemical cycling.
• Evaluating electrochemical performance in Li||NCM433 metal cells.

Main Results:

• AgNPs form a Li-ion conducting Li-Ag alloy during cycling.
• AgNPs provide uniform nucleation sites, suppressing vertical lithium dendrite growth.
• A 40 μm AgNP/LMP composite anode (AgLMP) demonstrated stable cycling over 500 cycles, retaining 73.6% capacity.

Conclusions:

• AgNPs significantly enhance the stability and electrochemical performance of LMP-based lithium metal anodes.
• The formation of a Li-Ag alloy and provision of nucleation sites are key mechanisms for dendrite suppression.
• AgNPs represent a viable strategy to improve LMP electrodes for advanced LMBs.