page_title: Solid-state battery
section_title: Dendrites
hierarchical_section_title: Solid-state battery / Challenges / Dendrites
caption_attribution_description: English: A depiction of lithium metal dendrite from the anode piercing through the separator and growing towards the cathode.
context_page_description: A solid-state battery is a battery technology that uses solid electrodes and a solid electrolyte, instead of the liquid or polymer gel electrolytes found in lithium-ion or lithium polymer batteries. Materials proposed for use as solid electrolytes in solid-state batteries include ceramics, and solid polymers. Solid-state batteries have found use in pacemakers, RFID and wearable devices. They are potentially safer, with higher energy densities, but at a much higher cost.
  Challenges to widespread adoption include energy and power density, durability, material costs, sensitivity and stability.
context_section_description: Solid lithium (Li) metal anodes in solid-state batteries are replacement candidates in lithium-ion batteries for higher energy densities, safety, and faster recharging times. Such anodes tend to suffer from the formation and the growth of Li dendrites.
  Dendrites penetrate the separator between the anode and the cathode causing short circuits. This causes overheating, which may result in fire and maybe even explosion from thermal runaway. Li dendrites reduce coulombic efficiency.
  Dendrites commonly form during electrodeposition during charge and discharge. Li ions in combine with electrons at the anode surface as the battery charges - forming a layer of lithium metal. Ideally, the lithium deposition occurs evenly on the anode. However, if the growth is uneven, dendrites form.
  Stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) was found to be the most effective strategy for inhibiting dendrite growth and increasing cycling performance. solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) may prevent dendrite growth, although this remains speculative. A 2018 study identified nanoporous ceramic separators that block Li dendrite growth up to critical current densities.
caption: Lithium metal dendrite from the anode piercing through the separator and growing towards the cathode.
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