Understanding undesirable anode lithium plating issues in lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are attractive candidates as power sources for various applications, such as electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage devices. However, safety and life issues are still great challenges for the practical applications of LIBs. Metallic lithium plating on the negative electrode under critical charging conditions accelerates performance degradation and poses safety hazards for LIBs. Therefore, anode lithium plating in LIBs has recently drawn increased attention. This article reviews the recent research and progress regarding anode lithium plating of LIBs. Firstly, the adverse effects of anode lithium plating on the electrochemical performance of LIBs are presented. Various in situ and ex situ techniques for characterizing and detecting anode lithium plating are then summarized. Also, this review discusses the influencing factors that induce anode lithium plating and approaches to mitigating or preventing anode lithium plating. Finally, remaining challenges and future developments related to anode lithium plating are proposed in the conclusion.