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Metal electrodes for next-generation rechargeable batteries

Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering volume 1, pages 79–92 (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

The electrification of transport and the transition to renewable energy sources are driving demand for the versatile and efficient storage of electrical energy — principally batteries, which can store energy with high efficiency, in a variety of designs and sizes. Compared to conventional batteries that contain insertion anodes, next-generation rechargeable batteries with metal anodes can yield more favourable energy densities, thanks to their high specific capacities and low electrode potentials. In this Review, we cover recent progress in metal anodes for rechargeable batteries. We examine design concepts and application opportunities and highlight the differences between metal and insertion-type electrodes in interface (two-dimensional) and interphase (three-dimensional) chemistries. We conclude by analysing the available cell chemistries and architectures, focusing on the design strategies for sustainability, as well as discussing existing roadmaps for next-generation batteries.

Key points

  • Metal electrodes, which have large specific and volumetric capacities, can enable next-generation rechargeable batteries with high energy densities.

  • The charge and discharge processes for metal anodes (involving deposition and dissolution of metals) require reversible chemical reactions that constitute a major challenge.

  • Controlling the formation of interphases between the metal electrode and the electrolyte is key to achieving high reversibility and long cycle life, as well as fast-charging rates.

  • There is no universal concept for the design of advanced electrolytes or a single strategy for the control of interface chemistry, meaning that an improved understanding of what redox processes occur is needed.

  • The transition from developing cell chemistries to designing the complete metal-anode battery is critical, because the manufacture of thin metal foils and the assembly of prototype cells are not straightforward.

  • For real applications, the fast-charging requirements (related to electron and ion transport) do not at present favour alternatives to Li- or Na-anode systems; batteries with anodes made using low-cost and abundant materials (Al, Mg, Ca, Na) are suitable for stationary storage systems.

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Fig. 1: Timeline of relevant milestones and steps towards commercial application of rechargeable metal batteries and natural abundance of selected metals.
Fig. 2: Electrochemical characteristics of metal electrodes and interphases in metal batteries.
Fig. 3: Development, performance parameters and ideal life cycle of metal-based batteries.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge generous support by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the grants FB2-POLY (13XP0429A), FB2-Hybrid (13XP0428A) and LISI-2 (13XP0509A).

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  1. These authors contributed equally: Gunther Brunklaus, Peter Lennartz.

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  1. Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Helmholtz-Institute Münster (IEK-12), Münster, Germany

    Gunther Brunklaus, Peter Lennartz & Martin Winter

  2. MEET Battery Research Center, Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany

    Martin Winter

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Brunklaus, G., Lennartz, P. & Winter, M. Metal electrodes for next-generation rechargeable batteries. Nat Rev Electr Eng 1, 79–92 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44287-023-00006-5

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