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Ao Du, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Advanced Carbon and Electrochemical Energy Storage, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
Juan Zhang, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100190, P. R. China
Pan Xu, Beijing Key Laboratory of Complex Solid-State Batteries & Tsinghua Center for Green Chemical Engineering Electrification, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
Ya-Jie Li, State Key Laboratory of Materials for Advanced Nuclear Energy & School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P. R. China
Kang-Yu Yi, State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, P. R. China
Zhen-Zhen Shen, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100190, P. R. China; Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P. R. China
Hui-Lin Ge, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Advanced Carbon and Electrochemical Energy Storage, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
Guang-Wen Zhang, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Advanced Carbon and Electrochemical Energy Storage, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China
Chao-Hui Zhang, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100190, P. R. China
Yu-Hao Wang, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100190, P. R. China
Chen-Zi Zhao, Beijing Key Laboratory of Complex Solid-State Batteries & Tsinghua Center for Green Chemical Engineering Electrification, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China; The Innovation Center for Smart Solid State Batteries, Yibin 644002, Sichuan, P. R. China
Meng-Yang Xu, State Key Laboratory of Materials for Advanced Nuclear Energy & School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P. R. China
Yu-Lin Jie, State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, P. R. China
Rui Wen, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100190, P. R. China; School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. ChinaFollow
Shu-Hong Jiao, State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, P. R. ChinaFollow
Si-Qi Shi, State Key Laboratory of Materials for Advanced Nuclear Energy & School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P. R. China; Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P. R. ChinaFollow
Qiang Zhang, Beijing Key Laboratory of Complex Solid-State Batteries & Tsinghua Center for Green Chemical Engineering Electrification, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. China; The Innovation Center for Smart Solid State Batteries, Yibin 644002, Sichuan, P. R. China; Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P.R. ChinaFollow
Chun-Peng Yang, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Advanced Carbon and Electrochemical Energy Storage, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. ChinaFollow
Yu-Guo Guo, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100190, P. R. China; School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. ChinaFollow

Corresponding Author

Chun-Peng Yang (cpyang@tju.edu.cn);
Yu-Guo Guo (ygguo@iccas.ac.cn);
Rui Wen (ruiwen@iccas.ac.cn);
Qiang Zhang (zhang-qiang@mails.tsinghua.edu.cn);
Si-Qi Shi (sqshi@shu.edu.cn);
Shu-Hong Jiao (jiaosh@ustc.edu.cn)

Abstract

Lithium metal anodes, with a theoretical capacity of up to 3860 mAh·g−1, are regarded as the cornerstone for developing next-generation high-energy-density batteries. However, several key challenges hinder their practical applications, including dendrite formation, unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), side reactions with electrolytes, and associated safety risks. This review systematically explores the mechanisms of lithium nucleation, growth, and stripping in both liquid and solid-state battery systems, analyzing critical theoretical concepts like heterogeneous nucleation thermodynamics, surface diffusion kinetics, space charge effects, and SEI-induced nucleation, which are crucial for understanding the genesis of dendrite growth. Additionally, the review discusses the electrochemical-mechanical coupling failures that lead to SEI degradation and the formation of dead lithium. For liquid systems, the review proposes strategies to mitigate dendrite formation and SEI instability, which include electrolyte optimization, artificial SEI design, and electrode framework design. In solidstate batteries, the review offers a granular analysis of the interface challenges associated with polymer, sulfide, and halide electrolytes and summarizes different solutions for different solid-state electrolytes. Meanwhile, the review emphasizes the importance of advanced characterization techniques and computational modeling in understanding and regulating the interface between lithium metal and electrolytes. Looking ahead, the review highlights future research directions that emphasize the integration of cross-disciplinary approaches to tackle these interconnected challenges. By addressing these issues, the path will be clear for the rapid commercialization and widespread application of lithium metal batteries, bringing us closer to realizing stable, high-energy-density batteries that can satisfy the escalating demands of modern energy storage applications across various industries.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

Lithium metal anodes, Solid electrolyte interphase, Lithium dendrite, Liquid-electrolyte battery, Solid-state battery

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Publication Date

2025-11-28

Online Available Date

2025-11-12

Revised Date

2025-10-09

Received Date

2025-07-06

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