Enhancing performance of lithium metal batteries through acoustic field application

Abstract

Cost-effective strategies for enhancing performance of lithium metal batteries (LMB) are in high demand. Herein, we propose and demonstrate that applying an external acoustic field can significantly enhance LMB performance, offering a novel approach to advancing battery technology. Long-term electrochemical stability tests, along with SEM and XPS characterization, reveal that this enhancement may result from the increased lithium-ion diffusion at slip lines and kinks, which can enable a more uniform solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. Without the acoustic field, lithium ions exhibit slower conduction through thicker SEI regions, influenced by slip lines and kinks. In contrast, the application of an acoustic field facilitates more uniform ion diffusion, thereby enhancing overall performance. This approach provides a valuable pathway for advancing battery technology beyond the traditional focus on material innovation.