What role does LiF play In anode-free lithium metal batteries?

Abstract

Anode-free lithium metal batteries (AFLMBs) have emerged as outstanding candidates for next-generation energy storage batteries due to their high safety, high energy density, simpler fabrication process, and low cost. However, their further development is limited by low coulombic efficiency (CE) and capacity degradation caused by unavoidable lithium dendrite growth. Currently, rational SEI component design is a primary research focus. Constructing a LiF-dominated interphase is uniquely critical due to its high shear modulus for physical dendrite suppression, ultra-low electronic conductivity to prevent electrolyte depletion, and high interfacial energy for uniform planar lithium plating. This review summarizes various methods reported in current research aimed at overcoming these challenges by utilizing LiF-rich SEI layers. Among them, this paper focuses on methods for directly introducing LiF-rich SEI onto the surface of current collectors (CCs), as these approaches are promising for application in higher-performance all-solid-state batteries, thereby providing guidance for the development of advanced high-performance lithium metal batteries.