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Electrochemical corrosion accompanies dendrite growth in solid electrolytes
Cole D Fincher1, Colin Gilgenbach1, Christian Roach2
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Nature
|March 26, 2026
Summary
Solid-state battery dendrites grow at lower stresses than previously thought. Electrolyte decomposition and volume contraction contribute to this electrochemical embrittlement, offering new mitigation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Solid-State Batteries
Background:
- Dendrite growth in solid-state batteries limits charging rates, cycling performance, and safety.
- Dendrite propagation is driven by coupled electrochemical and mechanical forces.
- Previous assumptions linked dendrite propagation to fracture stress of the solid electrolyte.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the actual stresses involved in dendrite propagation in solid-state batteries.
- To understand the mechanism of dendrite growth at various current densities.
- To explore potential mitigation strategies for dendrite-induced embrittlement.
Main Methods:
- Operando birefringence microscopy to directly measure stresses around growing dendrites.
- Cryogenic scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) to analyze dendrite morphology and composition.
- Utilized garnet Li6.6La3Zr1.6Ta0.4O12 as a model solid electrolyte.
Main Results:
- Dendrites can propagate at stresses significantly lower than the electrolyte's fracture stress.
- Stresses decrease with increasing current density and dendrite velocity, with propagation occurring at up to 75% lower stress.
- Electrolyte decomposition and molar volume contraction were observed at high current densities, linked to electrochemical embrittlement.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals a novel electrochemically induced embrittlement mechanism for dendrite propagation.
- Understanding and controlling phase transitions during instability are key to mitigating this phenomenon.
- Findings challenge previous assumptions and offer new pathways for designing safer and higher-performance solid-state batteries.
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