Recent advances in lithium metal protective strategies with a stable interface

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) have regained attention for the next-generation storage system due to their exceptional energy densities. However, Li metal anodes suffer from serious dendrite growth, unstable solid electrolyte interface (SEI), and enormous volume fluctuation, resulting in low cycling stability and compromised safety. This review systematically summarizes the recent advances in lithium metal protective strategies toward high-performance LMBs. First, 3D lithium metal host designs with homogeneous and gradient structures are developed with the aim of optimizing the structure and nucleation kinetics to guide Li plating behavior and achieve uniform lithium deposition. Second, interfacial engineering involves the construction of an artificial solid electrolyte interface (SEI) and the improvement of the innate SEI through interfacial modulation to protect lithium electrodes. Third, electrolyte additives and solid-state electrolytes are developed to form a stable SEI and suppress the dendrite formation. Finally, this review outlines the current challenges and future rational designs for the protection of LMBs to promote further development of high-energy-density LMBs.