Dendrite‐Free Epitaxial Growth of Lithium Metal during Charging in Li–O2 Batteries.

Abstract: Lithium (Li) dendrite formation is one of the major hurdles limiting the development of Li‐metal batteries, including Li‐O2 batteries. Herein, we report the first observation of the dendrite‐free epitaxial growth of a Li metal up to 10‐μm thick during charging (plating) in the LiBr‐LiNO3 dual anion electrolyte under O2 atmosphere. This phenomenon is due to the formation of an ultrathin and homogeneous Li2O‐rich solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer in the preceding discharge (stripping) process, where the corrosive nature of Br− seems to give rise to remove the original incompact passivation layer and NO3− oxidizes (passivates) the freshly formed Li surface to prevent further reactions with the electrolyte. Such reactions keep the SEI thin (<100 nm) and facilitates the electropolishing effect and gets ready for the epitaxial electroplating of Li in the following charge process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]