Part 5/10:
A pure lithium-metal anode provides an impressive energy density of around 3,860 milliamp-hours per gram—significantly higher than graphite. Moreover, its potential difference with lithium in the cathode is zero, which theoretically affords maximum efficiency in voltage delivery. However, the irregular deposition of lithium during charging often results in dendrite formation that can lead to dangerous short circuits.
Moreover, lithium metal's propensity to react with standard liquid electrolytes generates an unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). The SEI serves as a protective barometer of sorts but becomes unstable, leading to performance degradation and potential hazard due to gas build-up within the battery.