Fast Charging Limits of Ideally Stable Metal Anodes in Liquid Electrolytes

Next-generation high-energy-density batteries require ideally stable metal anodes, for which smooth deposits during battery recharging are considered a sign of interfacial stability that can ensure high efficiency and long cycle life. With the recent successes, whether absolute morphological guarantees electrochemical safety emerges as critical question to be investigated in systematic experiments under practical conditions. Here, we use ingot-type sodium anode model system identify fast-charging limits, i.e. highest safe current density, anodes. Our results show penetration still occur at relatively low densities, but overpotentials depend on pore sizes separators surprisingly follow simple mathematical developed Young-Laplace overpotential. study suggests success with even requires holistic design electrolyte, separator, anodes penetration-free operation.