近日，美国莱斯大学Jun Lou团队研究了强而脆的锂枝晶。这一研究成果发表在2026年3月12日出版的《科学》杂志上。

锂枝晶在电解质和隔膜中的生长及渗透仍是实现高能量密度锂金属电池的关键难题。基于学界普遍认为的锂金属的质地柔软性，采用机械强度高的电解质和隔膜一直被视为一种很有前景的策略。然而，在刚性固态电解质中，枝晶形成依然存在，这表明其具有不同的机械特性。

研究组采用无空气方案测量了单个锂枝晶的机械性能。结果意外发现，锂枝晶具有高强度和高脆性，其断裂应力超过150兆帕，这与具有延展性的块体锂金属截然不同。低温透射电子显微镜观察和力学模型分析表明，这种行为源于固态电解质界面约束以及纳米级强化作用。这些发现为枝晶穿透和死锂形成提供了新的替代机制，并为锂金属电池的设计策略提供了指导。

附：英文原文

Title: Strong and brittle lithium dendrites

Author: Qing Ai, Boyu Zhang, Xing Liu, Bongki Shin, Wenhua Guo, Guanhui Gao, Lihong Zhao, Xintong Weng, Qiyi Fang, Tianshu Zhai, Doug Steinbach, Yifan Zhu, Yifeng Liu, Fan Wang, Xiaoyin Tian, Hua Guo, Youtian Zhang, Xuan Zhao, Yimo Han, Ming Tang, Yan Yao, Ting Zhu, Huajian Gao, Jun Lou

Issue&Volume: 2026-03-12

Abstract: The growth and penetration of lithium dendrites through electrolytes and separators remain key challenges to realizing high–energy density lithium-metal batteries. Using mechanically strong electrolytes and separators has been considered a promising strategy based on the commonly believed softness of lithium. However, dendrite formation persists in stiff solid electrolytes, suggesting distinct mechanical behaviors. We measured the mechanical properties of individual lithium dendrites using an air-free protocol. We found that lithium dendrites are unexpectedly strong and brittle, with fracture stress greater than ~150 megapascals, unlike the ductile bulk metal. Cryo–transmission electron microscopy and mechanical modeling showed that this behavior arises from solid electrolyte interface constraints and nanoscale strengthening. These findings provide alternative mechanisms for dendrite penetration and dead lithium formation as well as guidance for design strategies for lithium-metal batteries.

DOI: adu9988

Source: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adu9988