No lithium metal anode to start? Silver-based additive helps stabilize next-generation batteries

https://techxplore.com/news/2026-10-lithium-metal-anode-silver-based.html

Summary: Incorporating a silver-based liquid electrolyte additive into anode-free lithium batteries forms a uniform silver-lithium alloy seed layer during initial charging cycles. The sacrificial silver nucleation sites promote smooth, dendrite-free lithium electrodeposition directly onto copper current collectors without requiring pre-assembled lithium metal foils. Eliminating reactive lithium metal anodes simplifies battery manufacturing while boosting volumetric energy density in solid-state cells.