摘要：SummaryLi metal anodes are enticing for batteries due to high theoretical charge storage capacity, but commercialization is plagued by dendritic Li growth and short circuits when cycled at high currents. Applied pressure has been suggested to improve morphology, and therefore performance. We hypothesized that increasing pressure would suppress dendritic growth at high currents. To test this hypothesis, here, we extensively use cryogenic scanning electron microscopy to show that varying the applied pressure from 0.01 to 1 MPa has little impact on Li morphology after one deposition. We show that pressure improves Li density and preserves Li inventory after 50 cycles. However, contrary to our hypothesis, pressureexacerbatesdendritic growth through the separator,promotingshort circuits. Therefore, we suspect Li inventory is better preserved in cells cycled at high pressureonlybecause the shorts carry a larger portion of the current, with less being carried by electrochemical reactions that slowly consume Li inventory.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Pressure improves Li inventory retention in Li metal batteries at high current•Varying pressure from 0.1 to 1 MPa has little impact on Li morphology at high current•Pressure promotes short circuits in Li metal batteries at high current•Use of two separators in Li metal batteries masks short circuitsElectrochemical energy storage; Materials science; Materials chemistry; Materials characterization; Materials characterization techniques; Energy materials
