Li-containing alloys beneficial for stabilizing lithium anode: A review

Abstract

Due to the soaring growth of electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage, high-safety and high-energy density battery storage systems are urgently needed. Lithium metal anodes, which possess the highest theoretical specific capacity (3860 mA h g−1) and the lowest electrochemical potential (−3.04 V vs standard hydrogen electrode) among anode materials, are regarded as the ultimate choice for high-energy density batteries. However, its safety problems as well as the low Coulombic efficiency during the Li plating and stripping process significantly limit the commercialization of lithium metal batteries. Recently, Li-containing alloys have demonstrated vital roles in inhibiting lithium dendrite growth, controlling interfacial reactions and enhancing the Coulombic efficiency (CE) as well as cycle life. Accordingly, in this perspective, the progresses of lithium alloys for robust, stable, and dendrite free anodes for rechargeable lithium metal batteries are summarized. The challenges and future research focus of lithium-containing alloys in lithium metal batteries are also discussed.