BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk//
X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Interface heterogeneity and metal plating in lithium metal and ano
 de-free batteries - Svetlana Menkin  (University of Cambridge)
DTSTART:20231102T103000Z
DTEND:20231102T113000Z
UID:TALK207685@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Catherine Pearson
DESCRIPTION:The demand for an extended range of electric vehicles has crea
 ted a renaissance of interest in replacing the common lithium-ion with a h
 igher energy-density metal anode (e.g.\, Li or Na). However\, alkali metal
  cells suffer from capacity fading and potential safety issues. The uneven
  metal electrodeposition often results in dendrite formation and potential
 ly hazardous situations such as cell short-circuiting and thermal runaway.
 \n\nOur recent studies of lithium plating on copper for anode-free batteri
 es showed that battery electrolytes break down spontaneously on the copper
  current collector\, forming a new interface that triggers dendritic lithi
 um plating and potential safety issues. We demonstrated lithium loss in an
 ode-free cells occurs due to solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) breakdown 
 and repair\, formation of 'dead lithium' and Galvanic corrosion of lithium
  on copper [1].\n\nThough lithium plating has been studied widely\, a bett
 er understanding of the short-circuiting mechanisms and metal battery fail
 ure is required. Moreover\, a considerable performance gap exists between 
 symmetric metal cells and realistic metal batteries.\n\n"Soft shorts" are 
 small localised electrical connections between two electrodes that allow t
 he co-existence of direct electron transfer and interfacial reaction. Alth
 ough soft shorts were identified as a significant safety issue in the earl
 y nineties\, their detection and prevention were not widely studied. There
 fore\, a fundamental understanding of SEI-forming metals' plating and a re
 liable testing method for soft short circuits is critical for realising me
 tal batteries\, such as Li-Air\, Li-S\, and anode-free batteries.\n\nHere\
 , we compared short circuit formation mechanisms and degradation in lithiu
 m symmetric cells using coupled galvanostatic impedance spectroscopy (GEIS
 ) and in-situ nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) for the first 
 time. In-situ NMR and EIS coupling allows the observation of metal batteri
 es' electrochemical and chemical dynamics and degradation in real time wit
 hout affecting the cells' operation.\n\nWe demonstrated that lithium short
  circuit formation mechanisms fundamentally differ and strongly depend on 
 electrolyte composition and SEI stability. This new understanding of the m
 etal plating mechanism is crucial to developing the next generation of rec
 hargeable batteries with high energy density\, prolonged cycling life and 
 improved sustainability [2].
LOCATION:Open Plan Area\, Institute for Energy and Environmental Flows\, M
 adingley Rise CB3 0EZ
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR