Multiphysics modeling and analysis for dendrite problems in solid-state lithium/sodium metal batteries

As solid-state lithium/sodium metal batteries emerge as the core technology for next-generation energy storage featuring high safety and high energy density, short circuits and cell failures caused by the continuous growth of metal dendrites severely restrict their practical deployment. Single-physics theories alone fail to fully interpret the complex evolution behaviors of dendrites, making coupled multiphysics analysis a critical research approach to break through this bottleneck. Against this backdrop, Distinguished Researcher Xiaohui Rong from the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, collaborated with Dr. Yun Su from the Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Academy of Military Sciences, Professor Byoungwoo Kang from Pohang University of Science and Technology (South Korea), and other researchers to review the research progress of multiphysics modeling related to metal dendrites in solid-state lithium/sodium metal batteries.

With the rapid iteration of energy storage technologies, solid-state lithium/sodium metal batteries boast tremendous potential in power batteries and large-scale energy storage by virtue of their high energy density and superior safety. Nevertheless, the continuous growth of metal dendrites during charge and discharge penetrates solid electrolytes, triggering internal short circuits, abrupt capacity decay and even thermal runaway — this constitutes the core bottleneck hindering their industrialization. Most existing studies only investigate dendrite behaviors under a single physical field (electrochemical, stress or thermal field), ignoring the actual operating conditions where electric, thermal and stress fields intrinsically couple inside batteries. Furthermore, there is a lack of systematic comparisons between liquid and solid systems regarding dendrite morphology and evolution rules, as well as the mechanisms of lithium and sodium metal dendrites. Various multiphysics prediction models and dendrite suppression strategies remain fragmented, without a complete and unified theoretical framework for collation. Systematic sorting of dendrite multiphysics evolution mechanisms, coupled models and suppression strategies is urgently required to offer comprehensive references for researchers in this field.

Key Highlights of This Review

1. System comparison and summary of dendrite experimental observations: This work systematically summarizes in-situ observed morphologies of lithium and sodium metal dendrites in liquid and solid electrolyte systems, distinguishes differences in nucleation sites and growth pathways between the two metals, and clarifies unique failure mechanisms driven by grain boundaries and defects within solid electrolytes that induce dendrite propagation.

2. Elucidation of evolution mechanisms from a multiphysics perspective: The independent action mechanisms of electrochemical, thermal and stress fields are dissected layer by layer. The bidirectional feedback evolution rules under strong coupling of the three physical fields are elaborated in depth. A full spectrum of multiphysics prediction models including phase-field models, modified Sand’s time and grain boundary impedance models are generalized, with their respective applicable scenarios and inherent limitations compared.

3. Dendrite suppression strategy based on physical field regulation: A full set of dendrite mitigation approaches are categorized across three dimensions: electrochemical regulation, thermal field optimization and stress management, including ionic flux homogenization, gradient interfacial engineering, pulsed external fields, matched stacking pressure and grain boundary modification. The underlying logic of each strategy is explained via coupled multiphysics mechanisms.

4. Identification of field deficiencies and future development roadmap: This review highlights critical challenges including the scarcity of quantitative three-dimensional multiphysics models, insufficient synchronous in-situ characterization of multiple parameters, and lagging research on solid-state sodium batteries. Four cutting-edge research directions are proposed: cross-scale modeling, synchronous in-situ multiphysics characterization, multiphysics-oriented development of new materials, and the establishment of a unified standardized testing system.

This review addresses the dendrite challenge in solid-state metal batteries by establishing a comprehensive analytical framework covering in-situ observation of dendrite morphological evolution, the coupling mechanisms of electrochemical, mechanical and thermal fields, and physical field regulation strategies for dendrite suppression. It systematically clarifies the laws governing nucleation, growth and penetration-induced failure of metal dendrites in both liquid and solid electrolyte systems.

Against the interdisciplinary trend of cross-material and cross-scale research on solid-state batteries, dendrite suppression systems built upon multiphysics theories will revolutionize the material design methodologies for solid electrolytes, metal anodes and interfacial engineering. Integrated with diverse analytical tools such as phase-field simulation, in-situ characterization and high-throughput computation, multiphysics coupling theories enable quantitative prediction and mechanistic decomposition of complex behaviors including critical dendrite nucleation conditions, self-accelerated failure driven by crack propagation, and thermo-mechanical imbalance at interfaces. Dendrite suppression strategies based on multiphysics regulation represent a core pathway to break the industrialization bottlenecks of solid-state lithium/sodium metal batteries. They are expected to significantly boost battery energy density, cycle life and intrinsic safety, facilitating practical applications in vehicle power storage and large-scale grid energy storage.

It is anticipated that this review will deliver a holistic overview of multiphysics coupling research on dendrites in solid-state lithium/sodium metal batteries, provide theoretical foundations and research guidelines for follow-up studies including cross-scale quantitative modeling, synchronous in-situ multi-parameter characterization, and the development of new materials for synergistic multiphysics dendrite suppression, and accelerate the industrial upgrading of next-generation solid-state metal batteries with high safety and high energy density.

Title:

Multiphysics Modeling and Analysis for Dendrite Problems in Solid-State Lithium/Sodium Metal Batteries

Journal Name: Nano-Micro Letters

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-026-02200-0

URL:https://scholarcast.cast.org.cn/top-news/2079553179736903680