Unveiling the dynamic Li+–solvent interaction evolution in lithium metal batteries

The interfacial chemistry during plating/stripping between electrolytes with different concentrations and Li metal is firstly in situ visualized by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and simulated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It is verified that different Li+-solvent interaction evolutions at interfaces during the Li+ stripping and plating processes result in different interfacial stability. This work uncovers the critical role of Li+-solvent interaction evolution for the stability of the interface between the solvent and Li metal anode.