Transition metals for stabilizing lithium metal anode: advances and perspectives

As the capacity of lithium-ion batteries gradually reaches its limit, the high-capacity characteristics of lithium metal batteries (LMBs) make them one of the most promising electrochemical energy storage devices currently. However, uncontrolled lithium dendrite growth can cause poor cell performance and severe safety issues, seriously slowing down the commercialization of LMBs. Transition metals (TMs) are lithiophilic materials that effectively stabilize lithium metal anode (LMA) and inhibit dendrite growth. Herein, the growth of lithium dendrites and the performance of TMs in stabilizing lithium metals are comprehensively discussed in this review. First, we elucidated the formation mechanisms of lithium dendrite, and we put forward several strategies to suppress lithium dendrite formation based on the understanding of these mechanisms. Then, the application of TMs and their compounds to stabilize LMA and their corresponding mechanisms are comprehensively clarified. Last, further research perspectives of TMs in stabilizing LMA are emphasized in detail.