Methods and energy storage devices utilizing electrolytes having surface-smoothing additives

摘要

Electrodeposition and energy storage devices utilizing an electrolyte having a surface-smoothing additive can result in self-healing, instead of self-amplification, of initial protuberant tips that give rise to roughness and/or dendrite formation on the substrate and anode surface. For electrodeposition of a first metal (M1) on a substrate or anode from one or more cations of M1 in an electrolyte solution, the electrolyte solution is characterized by a surface-smoothing additive containing cations of a second metal (M2), wherein cations of M2 have an effective electrochemical reduction potential in the solution lower than that of the cations of M1.

主权项

1. An energy storage device comprising an anode and a first metal (M1) electrodeposited on the anode during operation of the device, the energy storage device characterized by an electrolyte solution comprising cations of M1 and by a soluble, surface-smoothing additive comprising a metal (M2), cations of M2 having an effective electromechanical reduction potential in solution lower than that of the cations of M1, and a voltage that is less than, or equal to, that of the electrochemical reduction potential of the cations of M1 and greater than the effective electrochemical reduction potential of the cations of M2, wherein the cations of M2 have a concentration in the electrolyte solution that is greater than or equal to 0.05 M and less than, or equal to, 5% of that of the cations of M1.