Understanding the Effects of Alloy Films on the Electrochemical Behavior of Lithium Metal Anodes with Operando Optical Microscopy

Uncontrolled morphological evolution of lithium metal anodes during cycling can lead to inactive formation and excessive solid electrolyte interphase growth, causing capacity decay. Here, we investigate how interfacial alloy layers affect the growth electrodeposition stripping from stainless steel current collectors by combining electrochemical methods with operando optical microscopy. We find that thin silver films enable improved Coulombic efficiency for in multiple systems compared bare or other layers. This is at least partially enabled observed larger particle size when grown alloys, as well mechanical integrity films. Operando microscopy reveals reduced dendritic Li on silver-coated high densities collectors, different dendrite dynamics. Together, these findings enhance our understanding both behavior electrodes, highlighting benefits engineering use "anode-free" battery configurations.