Solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) transport, evolution, and fracture: Governing factors for lithium dendrite formation
Journal
Journal of Power Sources
Journal Volume
676
Start Page
239871
ISSN
03787753
Date Issued
2026-06-01
Author(s)
Abstract
Lithium plating is rarely stable, even at very low current densities. While classical electroplating models predict stable plating below a limiting current density, experimental results consistently show unstable growth well below this threshold. To address this discrepancy, we developed a phase-field model that captures the coupled evolution of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and the anode during plating. Our simulations identify the SEI’s low ionic diffusivity as a transport bottleneck that drives ion depletion. Incorporating this layer resolves the long-standing conflict between experimental observations and theoretical models in which the SEI is overlooked. Furthermore, we provide direct simulation evidence of key dynamic processes, including dendrite formation, SEI deformation and rupture, ion recovery, and preferential anode growth. These processes form a feedback loop that promotes plating at SEI rupture sites. While this preferential plating has long been considered an essential growth mechanism for mossy dendrites, it is captured here by our simulations for the first time.
Subjects
Fracture
Ion depletion
Limiting current density
Lithium dendrites
Mossy dendrites
Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI)
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Type
journal article