Nucleation and Growth Mechanism of Lithium Metal Electroplating

Understanding Li nucleation and growth mechanism is an essential key for providing a long cycle life and safe lithium ion batteries or lithium metal batteries. However, no quantitative report on Li metal deposition is found to the best of our knowledge. We proposed a model for quantitatively understanding Li nucleation and growth mechanism associated with SEI formation named as Li-SEI model. The current transients at various overpotentials initiate the nucleation and growth of Li metal on bare Cu foil. The Li-SEI model considering 3D diffusion-controlled instantaneous process (j3D-DC) with the simultaneous reduction of electrolyte decomposition (jSEI) due to the SEI fracture is employed for investigating the Li nucleation and growth mechanism. The individual contributions of experimental and theoretical transients state that the fundamental kinetic values of diffusion coefficient (D), rate of nucleation (N0) and rate constant of electrolyte decomposition (kSEI) are possibly determined from the Li-SEI mode...