Understanding and modifications on lithium deposition in lithium metal batteries

Lithium metal has been considered as an ultimate anode choice for next-generation secondary batteries due to its low density, superhigh theoretical specific capacity and the lowest voltage potential. Nevertheless, uncontrollable dendrite growth and consequently large volume change during stripping/plating cycles can cause unsatisfied operation efficiency and serious safety concern, restraining its commercial use for the last 40 years. As widely used lithium-ion battery is approaching its theoretical limit at present, it is increasingly urgent to develop new energy storage equipment with sufficient practical capacity. Herein, two important processes of lithium deposition, nucleation and growth on lithium metal anode are reviewed. Modified three-dimensional (3D) porous anodes with unique structure and dynamic surface conditions, as one of the most efficient designs on dendrites suppression, are specifically discussed in terms of their beneficial adjustment on the dendrite formation. Problems on current designs and prospects on future advanced porous anode are explored in the end.Graphical abstract