The Electrostatic and Elastic Conditions for Quasi-static Dendrite Propagation in Solid-State Electrolytes

We have demonstrated that dendrite propagation possesses a marked dependence upon the mechanical state of the electrolyte and upon the applied overpotential [1]. The conditions for the arrest or propagation depend on a trade-off between energy released during infinitesimal growth against the infinitesimal increase due to surface energy. The released energy has at least two sources: elastic relaxation and the change in the electrostatic field due to the growth of a conducting dendrite. The implications of these results for electrolyte design are illustrated with general stability diagrams. Extension to dendrites propagating with finite velocities will be discussed.<br/><br/>[1] CD Fincher, CE Athansiou, C Gilgenbach, MJ Wang, BW Sheldon, WC Carter, YM Chiang, “Controlling dendrite propagation in solid-state batteries with engineered stress,” <i>Joule, </i>in press. DOIs: 10.1016/j.joule.2022.10.011