Co-Electrodeposition Mechanism in Rechargeable Metal Batteries

Metal-anode-based batteries, owing to their high energy densities, enable long-range electric vehicles and semi trucks. Controlling the electrodeposition growth during charging at practical rates remains a challenge. Incorporating an additive cation in the electrolyte offers an approach to address this through coelectrodeposition which can tune the nucleation and the surface diffusion processes at the growth front. This opens new design possibilities to address the dendrite challenge. In this work, we develop a mesoscale formalism to study the co-electrodeposition mechanism and analyze the underlying electrolyte design, material selection, and electrochemical complexations governing the composition and morphological evolution. We delineate stable regimes of nucleation and electrodeposition that can be attained by tailoring the surface diffusion and electrochemical reaction kinetics. We believe that this study provides the basis for future experiments to rationalize trends in metal co-electrodeposition.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the co-electrodeposition mechanism in metal-anode-based batteries, analyzing the electrolyte design, material selection, and electrochemical complexations that govern the composition and morphological evolution. By tailoring the surface diffusion and electrochemical reaction kinetics, stable regimes of nucleation and electrodeposition can be achieved. This research provides a foundation for future experiments to rationalize trends in metal co-electrodeposition.