Metal

Battery (electricity)

Quantum mechanics

Engineering

Lithium (medication)

Lithium vanadium phosphate battery

Materials science

Cathode

Endocrinology

Power (physics)

Inorganic chemistry

Chemical engineering

Lithium metal

Physical chemistry

Physics

Nanotechnology

Organic chemistry

Medicine

Chemistry

Electrode

Anode

Electrolyte

Fast ion conductor

Chemical Reviews

Developing reversible lithium metal anodes with high rate capability is one of the central aims of current battery research. Lithium metal anodes are not only required for the development of innovative cell concepts such as lithium-air or lithium-sulfur batteries, they can also increase the energy density of batteries with intercalation-type cathodes. The use of solid electrolyte separators is especially promising to develop well-performing lithium metal anodes, because they can act as a mechanical barrier to avoid unwanted dendritic growth of lithium through the cell. However, inhomogeneous electrodeposition and contact loss often hinder the application of a lithium metal anode in solid-state batteries. In this review, we assess the physicochemical concepts that describe the fundamental mechanisms governing lithium metal anode performance in combination with inorganic solid electrolytes. In particular, our discussion of kinetic rate limitations and morphological stability intends to stimulate further progress in the field of lithium metal anodes.

Physicochemical Concepts of the Lithium Metal Anode in Solid-State Batteries