Pulse Reverse Protocol for efficient suppression of dendritic micro-structures in rechargeable batteries

Abstract

The ramified and stochastic evolution of dendritic microstructures has been a major issue on the safety and longevity of rechargeable batteries, particularly for the utilization metallic electrodes. We computationally develop pulse-reverse protocols for effective halting of the growing microstructures during extensive charging periods far beyond inter-ionic collisions. Our framework is based on the competitiveness of the dendritic growth during the pulse period versus the dissolution of the (sub)branches during the reverse charge. The detachment of the atoms from the structure preferentially occurs from the meta-stable sites which possess the lowest coordination number and require lowest activation energy for dissolution. We prove that even an infinitesimal pulse-reverse charge is more effective than an extended pulse-relaxation method for the suppression of the dendritic structures. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd