Strategies to anode protection in lithium metal battery: A review

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are considered the most promising energy storage devices for applications such as electrical vehicles owing to its tremendous theoretical capacity (3860 mAh g−1). However, the serious safety issues and poor cycling performance caused by the dendritic crystal growth during deposition are concerned for any rechargeable batteries with a lithium metal anode. To make widespread adoption a possibility, considerable efforts have been devoted to suppressing lithium (Li) dendrite growth. In this review, the recent strategies to developing dendrite free Li anode, including constructing an artificial solid electrolyte interface, current collector modification, separator film improvement, and electrolyte additive, are summarized. The merits and shortcomings for different strategies are reviewed and a general summary and perspective on the next generation rechargeable batteries are presented.