Suppression of dendrite growth with multiple charging modes for fast charge Lithium metal anode using the Lattice Boltzmann Method

Dendrite growth on the anode surface is a critical challenge in developing reliable Lithium metal batteries. Even though numerous strategies have been reported to regulate Li deposition, a more fundamental understanding of electrodeposition process and a more systematical study of the impacts of charging conditions are needed. To accomplish these, we developed a 3D model using the Lattice Boltzmann Method to simulate charging processes under various charge modes. The model takes account of the effects of charge current/potential and morphological features on the local ion concentration and morphology evolution. We first studied the dendrite formation under simple constant current(CC) and constant voltage(CV) charging protocols. The results show that dendrite form upon ion depletion and dendrite morphologies are associated with anode surface heterogeneity and potential divergence. We then incorporated charge patterns including constant current-constant voltage(CC-CV), constant current-pulse voltage(CC-PV), constant current-pulse current(CC-PC) and constant current-pulse current with constant current(CC-PVCC) charge. CC-CV mode is effective in suppressing dendrite growth when we choose appropriate preset voltage for switching from CC to CV mode. CC-PVCC has the best performance among pulse modes for achieving dendrite-free anode with optimal charge time.