Emerging concept of lithium-free anodes toward practical high-performance lithium batteries: present and future

The recent booming of high-energy density batteries is critical to the decarbonization of the transportation and power generation sectors. Among the candidates, anode-free Li-metal batteries (AFLMBs) with no excess lithium are involved in the charge/discharge processes, are regarded as promising configuration to maximum possible energy density. However, AFLMBs usually suffer from interface deterioration during the charge and discharge processes, resulting in inevitable side reactions, rapid loss of lithium inventory, and subsequent poor cycle life. To prompt their practical feasibility, considerable research efforts have been conducted to stabilize lithium deposition behavior and improve the anode performance of AFLMBs, especially the cycle lifespan, Coulombic efficiency (CE) and cycling stability. We believe that this review can guide theoretical design of the anode-free configurations not limited to lithium-ion batteries, so as to offer referential value for developing advance the practical application of the next-generation high-energy-density AFLMBs.