Lithium metal self-diffusion is too slow to sustain large
current
densities at the interface with a solid electrolyte, and the resulting
formation of voids on stripping is a major limiting factor for the
power density of solid-state cells. The enhanced morphological stability
of some lithium alloy electrodes has prompted questions on the role
of lithium diffusivity in these materials. Here, the lithium diffusivity
in Li-Mg alloys is investigated by an isotope tracer method, revealing
that the presence of magnesium slows down the diffusion of lithium.
For large stripping currents the delithiation process is diffusion-limited,
hence a lithium metal electrode yields a larger capacity than a Li-Mg
electrode. However, at lower currents we explain the apparent contradiction
that more lithium can be extracted from Li-Mg electrodes by showing
that the alloy can maintain a more geometrically stable diffusion
path to the solid electrolyte surface so that the effective lithium
diffusivity is improved.
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