The carrier transition from Li atoms to Li vacancies in solid-state lithium alloy anodes.

Lu, Yang; Zhao, Chen-Zi; Zhang, Rui; Yuan, Hong; Hou, Li-Peng; Fu, Zhong-Heng; Chen, Xiang; Huang, Jia-Qi et al. · Sci Adv · 2021

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The stable cycling of energy-dense solid-state batteries is highly relied on the kinetically stable solid-state Li alloying reactions. The Li metal precipitation at solid-solid interfaces is the primary cause of interface fluctuations and battery failures, whose formation requires a clear mechanism interpretation, especially on the key kinetic short board. Here, we introduce the lithium alloy anode as a model system to quantify the Li kinetic evolution and transition from the alloying reaction to the metal deposition in solid-state batteries, identifying that there is a carrier transition from Li atoms to Li vacancies during lithiation processes. The rate-determining step is charge transfer or Li atom diffusion at different lithiation stages.