Zulipiya Shadike

Lithium metal anode (LMA) holds great promise due to its high theoretical specific capacity and the lowest negative electrochemical potential vs. the standard hydrogen electrode. However, due to the instability of the LMA/electrolyte interface and the growth of dendrites or dead lithium during repeated plating/stripping processes, lithium metal typically exhibits poor electrochemical performance and serious safety hazards. Addressing these issues requires a systematic understanding of the LMA interface. Therefore, Zulipiya Shadike focused her research on in-situ investigation and regulation of the lithium metal battery interface​.

She combined synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) and pair distribution function (PDF) techniques to analyze the solvation structure of the electrolyte and the crystalline/amorphous components of the lithium metal anode interface. She successfully confirmed that LiF and LiH are the main components of the lithium metal anode interface and may exist as a LiFxH1-x solid solution, which facilitates lithium-ion diffusion at the interface​. She also proposed that the LiF in the lithium metal anode interface is different from conventional LiF. The former has a broader X-ray diffraction peak, larger lattice parameter, and smaller grain size (approximately 3 nm), which facilitates lithium-ion diffusion at the grain boundaries. This result provides crucial experimental evidence for understanding the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) on lithium metal anodes and offers effective research ideas for interface optimization​.

Shadike’s revelation of the new mechanism for forming the lithium metal solid-electrolyte interphase will promote the development and application of low-cost, ultra-light, and ultra-thin battery systems.