Self-Healing Properties of Alkali Metals under 'High-Energy Conditions' in Batteries

摘要

With the development of high-energy-density metal batteries, dendrite growth has become a bottleneck for the further improvement of alkali metal electrodes. In this study, the self-healing performance of dendrites under "high-energy conditions" are predicted and verified. Initially, the driving force of self-healing is analyzed based on surface energy. Theoretically, the activation energy for atom diffusion, which contributes to the resistance of self-healing, is quantitatively calculated. Moreover, to illustrate self-healing in Li, Na, and K electrodes, electrochemical curves, in situ optical images, and SEM images are obtained at different temperatures and current densities. Based on the results, it is concluded that K dendrites under "high-energy conditions" (i.e., at high temperatures and high current densities) possess the highest self-healing ability and reparability. Consequently, the self-healing properties of alkali metals under high-energy conditions are theoretically and experimentally examined and confirmed.