• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.365-382
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• 2023

A lithium metal anode with high energy density has the potential to revolutionize the field of energy storage systems (ESS) and electric vehicles (EVs) that utilize rechargeable lithium-based batteries. However, the formation of lithium dendrites during cycling reduces the performance of the battery while posing a significant safety risk. In this review, we discuss various strategies for achieving dendrite-free lithium metal anodes, including electrode surface modification, the use of electrolyte additives, and the implementation of protective layers. We analyze the advantages and limitations of each strategy, and provide a critical evaluation of the current state of the art. We also highlight the challenges and opportunities for further research and development in this field. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the different approaches to achieving dendrite-free lithium metal anodes, and to guide future research toward the development of safer and more efficient lithium metal anodes.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.51-68
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• 2022

Although lithium metal batteries have a high energy density, experimental skills capable of solving lots of problems induced by dendrite such as short circuit, low coulomb efficiency, capacity loss, and cycle performance are still only in academic research stage. In this paper, research cases for dendrite growth inhibition on lithium metal electrode were classified into four types: flexible SEI (solid electrolyte interface) layer responding to volume expansion of lithium metal electrode, SEI supporting layer to inhibit dendrite growth physically, SHES (self-healing electrostatic shield) mechanism to adjust lithium growth by leading uniform diffusion of Li⁺ ions, and finally micro-patterning to induce uniform deposition of lithium. We hope to advance the practical use of lithium metal electrode by analyzing pros and cons of this classification.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.69-78
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• 2019

Lithium metal anode with the highest theoretical capacity to replace graphite anodes are being reviewed. However, the dendrite growth during repeated oxidation/reduction reaction on lithium metal surface, which results in poor cycle performance and safety issue has hindered its successful implementation. In our previous work, we solved this problem by using surface modification technique whereby a surface pattern on lithium metal anode is introduced. Although the micro-patterned Lithium metal electrode is beneficial to control Li metal deposition efficiently, it is difficult to control the mossy-like Li granulation at high current density ($>2.0mA\;cm^{-2}$). In this study, we introduce vinylene carbonate (VC) electrolyte additive on micro patterned lithium metal anode to suppress the lithium dendrite growth. Owing to the synergetic effect of micro-patterned lithium metal anode and VC electrolyte additive, lithium dendrite at a high current density is dense. As a result, we confirmed that the cycle performance was further improved about 6 times as compared with the reference electrode.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.310-317
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• 2016

Lithium ion secondary battery (LISB) is an energy conversion system operated via charging-discharging cycle based on Lithium ion migration. LISB has a lot of advantages such as high energy density, low self-discharge rate, and a relatively high lifetime. Recently, increasing demands of electric vehicles have been encouraging the development of LISB with high capacity. Unfortunately, it causes some critical safety issues. It includes dendrite formation on negative electrode, resulting in electric shortage problems and battery explosion. Also, the elevated temperatures occurred during the LISB operation induces thermal shrinkage of polyolefin (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene) separators. Consequently, the low thermal stability leads to decay of LISB performances and the reduction of lifetime. In this study, sulfonated poly (arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES) random copolymers were used as key materials to prepare polyolefin pore-filling separator. The resulting separators were evaluated in the term of metal ion chelation capability associated with dendrite formation, $Li^+$ ion conductivity and thermal durability.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2020

Although Lithium metal battery (LMB) has a very large theoretical capacity, it has a critical problem such as formation of dendrite which causes short circuit and short cycle life of the LMB. In this study, PDMS/GO composite with evenly dispersed graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets in poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) was synthesized and coated into a thin film, resulting in the effect that can physically suppress the formation of dendrite. However, PDMS has low ion conductivity, so that we attained improved ion conductivity of PDMS/GO thin film by etching technic using 5wt% hydrofluoric acid (HF), to facilitate the movement of lithium (Li) ions by forming the channel of Li ions. The morphology of the PDMS/GO thin film was observed to confirm using SEM. When the PDMS/GO thin film was utilized to lithium metal battery system, the columbic efficiency was maintained at 87.4% on average until the 100^th cycles. In addition, voltage profiles indicated reduced overpotential in comparison to the electrode without thin film.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2020

Lithium-ion cells have become the go-to energy source across all applications; however, dendritic growth remains an issue to tackle. While there have been various research conducted and possible solutions offered, there is yet to be one that efficiently rules out the problem without, however, introducing another. This paper seeks to present a fast charging method and system to which lithium-ion batteries are charged while maintaining their lifetime. In the proposed method, various lithium cells are charged under multiple profiles. The parameters of charge profiles that inflict damage to the cell's electrodes are obtained and used as thresholds. Thus, during charging, voltage, current, and temperature are actively controlled under these thresholds. In this way, dendrite formation suppressed charging is achieved, and battery life is maintained. The fast-charging system designed, comprises of a 1.5kW charger, an inbuilt 600W battery pack, and an intelligent BMS with cell balancing technology. The system was also designed to respond to the aging of the battery to provide adequate threshold values. Among other tests conducted by KCTL, the cycle test result showed a capacity drop of only 0.68% after 500 cycles, thereby proving the life maintaining capability of the proposed method and system.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.228-233
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• 2016

It is hard to employ the carbon materials or the lithium metal foil for the anode of lithium sulfur batteries because of the poor passivation in ether-based electrolytes and the formation of lithium dendrites, respectively. Herein, we investigated the electrochemical characteristics of lithium sulfur batteries with lithiated silicon anode in the liquid electrolytes based on ether solvents. The silicon anodes were lithiated by direct contact with lithium foil in a 1M lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI) solution in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) and 1,3-dioxolane (DOL) at a volume ratio of 1:1. They were readily lithiated up to ~40% of their theoretical capacity with a 30 min contact time. In particular, the carbon mesh reported in our previous work was employed in order to maximize the performance by capturing the dissolved polysulfide in sulfur cathode. The reversible specific capacity of the lithiated silicon-sulfur batteries with carbon mesh was 1,129 mAh/g during the first cycle, and was maintained at 297 mAh/g even after 50 cycles at 0.2 C, without any problems of poor passivation or lithium dendrite formation.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2023

Despite high capacity of lithium metal anode, its uncontrollable dendrite growth results in the poor electrochemical (EC) performance (low Coulomb efficiency and limited cycle stability) and unsafe operation. In this study, we demonstrated a lithium metal anode protected with BaTiO₃/PVDF based piezoelectric layer to enhance its EC performance by utilizing the locally polarized lithium metal after volume expansions. As-formed lithium metal electrode deposited with BTO@PVDF layer exhibited an enhanced Coulombic efficiency (> 98% for 100 cycles) and facilitated lithium ion diffusions (lithium diffusion coefficient: D_Li+), revealing the effectiveness of piezoelectric layer deposited lithium metal electrode approach.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2022

Lithium metal is the most promising anode for next-generation lithium-ion batteries due to its lowest reduction potential (-3.04 V vs. SHE) and high specific capacity (3860 mAh/g). However, the dendritic formation under high charging current density remains one of main technical barriers to be used for commercial rechargeable batteries. To address these issues, tremendous research to suppress lithium dendrite formation have been conducted through new electrolyte formulation, robust protection layer, shape-controlled lithium metal, separator modification, etc. However, Li/Li symmetric cell test is always a starting or essential step to demonstrate better lithium dendrite formation behavior with lower overpotential and longer cycle life without careful analysis. Thus, this review summarizes overpotential behaviors of Li/Li symmetric cells along with theoretical explanations like initial peaking or later arcing. Also, we categorize various overpotential data depending on research approaches and discuss them based on peaking and arcing behaviors. Thus, this review will be very helpful for researchers in lithium metal to analyze their overpotential behaviors.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.422-426
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• 2018

The lithium-ion battery pack of an electric vehicle (EV) deserves to be considered for an alternative use within smart-grid infrastructure. Despite the long automotive service life, EV batteries retain over 70~80% of their initial capacity. These battery packs must be managed for their reliability and safety. Therefore, a battery management system (BMS) should use specific algorithms to measure and estimate the status of the battery. Most importantly, the BMS of a grid-connected energy storage system (ESS) must ensure that the lithium-ion battery does not catch fire or explode due to an internal short from uncontrolled dendrite growth. In other words, the BMS of a lithium-ion battery pack should be capable of detecting the battery's status based on the electrochemical reaction continuously until the end of the battery's lifespan. In this paper, we propose a new protection algorithm for a dendritic lithium battery. The proposed algorithm has applied a parameter from battery pack aging results and has control power managing.