Understanding and Mitigating Lithium Metal Anode Failure in All-Solid-State Batteries with Inorganic Solid Electrolytes

All-solid-state lithium metal batteries have garnered significant attention due to their promising safety characteristics and potential for high energy density. However, short-circuit failures induced by lithium dendrite growth deteriorate the cycling performance. Although extensive research has been conducted on the failure mechanisms of lithium metal anodes (LMAs), a comprehensive understanding of the LMA/solid electrolyte interface, where failure primarily occurs, is still lacking. This perspective examines the effects of key factors, including macroscopic pressure and microstructural evolution, on failure mechanisms of during fabrication, cycling, and degradation. It highlights the critical significance of ensuring sufficient interfacial contact during the fabrication stage, enhancing the lithium diffusion rate and creep capability of the LMA during the cycling stage, and reducing the electronic conductivity and internal defects of the solid electrolyte to suppress the formation and propagation of lithium dendrites during the degradation stage.