Targeting 100% Lithium Utilization in Lithium Metal Batteries
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Anode-free lithium metal batteries (AFLMBs) represent the ultimate solution to mankind's quest for the Holy Grail of batteries, where the cell-level energy density is maximized on the assumption that lithium (Li0) must be fully utilized with near 100% Coulombic efficiency. Although substantial progress has been made since the anode-free concept was first proposed, the challenges presented by the most powerful anode material that can be found on the periodic table still remain unresolved due to its extreme reactive nature, which not only makes it impossible to retain 100% reversibility but also induces inhomogeneity during repeated plating/stripping cycles and persistent capacity loss over a long period of time. The isolated study approaches, emphasizing either individual electrolyte components or interphasial chemistry engineering, but mostly focused on the negative-electrode current collector, hinder insight into issues arising when these components are assembled into cells and forced to interface with each other. In this review, we attempt to examine this high-dimensional topic from a panoramic perspective, with the focus placed on the liquid electrolytes. We first outline the fundamental operating principles of key individual battery components, together with practical perspectives for evaluating lithium utilization and reversibility in AFLMBs. We then discuss how these components interact when assembled into full cells, how such interactions give rise to heterogeneous electrochemical and mechanical behaviors, and how these phenomena can be characterized and regulated. It is also outlined that a hierarchical perspective on lithium behavior, spanning from the nano- to cell-scale, is essential to enable plating, stripping, and recovery in AFLMBs. Finally, we present perspectives from leading researchers actively working on the various elements that constitute AFLMBs and integrate these viewpoints to clarify the future research directions of this field. By providing a system-level framework for understanding AFLMBs, this review aims to guide future research efforts and contribute to addressing the broader challenges of sustainable energy storage.
Source: ACS Nano
Authors: Seungwoo Choi, Juyoung Kim, Jiyeon Seo, Khalil Amine, Peng Bai, Dae-Kwon Boo, Zheng Chen, Yujang Cho, Jang Wook Choi, Nam-Soon Choi, Tae Young Choi, Wootaek Choi, Yi Cui, Betar M. Gallant, Shiyu Ge, Kelsey B. Hatzell, Yushin Jang, Zhengyu Ju, Ji-Won Jung, Hee-Tak Kim, Ilgyu Kim, Min-Ho Kim, Mun Sek Kim, Patrick Joohyun Kim, Sang Cheol Kim, Yaejin Kim, Seongjae Ko, Hyegang Koo, Hochun Lee, Jiyoung Lee, Ju Li, Yuzhang Li, Ping Liu, Yijin Liu, Jeffrey Lopez, Matthew T. McDowell, Thanh Nguyen, Solomon T. Oyakhire, Sapna L. Ramesh, Mingyu Sagong, Nanyang Wang, Jamie H. Warner, Sujeong Woo, Gui-Liang Xu, Kang Xu, Yan Yao, Guihua Yu, Ji-Guang Zhang, Il-Doo Kim, Hongkyung Lee, Hyun-Wook Lee
Institutions: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Yonsei University, Argonne National Laboratory, University of Chicago, Washington University in St. Louis, Konkuk University, University of California San Diego, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Hyundai Motor Group (South Korea), Kyungpook National University, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, Princeton University, The University of Texas at Austin, Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, The University of Tokyo, Ajou University, Georgia Institute of Technology, The Ohio State University, University of Houston, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, University of Houston, University of Texas at Austin, National Research Foundation, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, National Research Foundation of Korea, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Texas Center for Superconductivity, University of Houston, Argonne National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
OpenAlex ID: W7172393035