Techno-economic assessment of thin lithium metal anodes for solid-state batteries

Matthew Burton, Sudarshan Narayanan, Ben Jagger, Lorenz F. Olbrich, Shobhan Dhir, Masafumi Shibata, Michael J. Lain, Robert Astbury, Nicholas Butcher, Mark Copley, Toshikazu Kotaka, Yuichi Aihara and Mauro Pasta ()
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Matthew Burton: University of Oxford
Sudarshan Narayanan: University of Oxford
Ben Jagger: University of Oxford
Lorenz F. Olbrich: University of Oxford
Shobhan Dhir: University of Oxford
Masafumi Shibata: University of Oxford
Michael J. Lain: University of Warwick
Robert Astbury: Emerson and Renwick Ltd, Peel Bank Works
Nicholas Butcher: Emerson and Renwick Ltd, Peel Bank Works
Mark Copley: University of Warwick
Toshikazu Kotaka: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd
Yuichi Aihara: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd
Mauro Pasta: University of Oxford

Nature Energy, 2025, vol. 10, issue 1, 135-147

Abstract: Abstract Solid-state lithium metal batteries show substantial promise for overcoming theoretical limitations of Li-ion batteries to enable gravimetric and volumetric energy densities upwards of 500 Wh kg−1 and 1,000 Wh l−1, respectively. While zero-lithium-excess configurations are particularly attractive, inhomogeneous lithium plating on charge results in active lithium loss and a subsequent coulombic efficiency penalty. Excess lithium is therefore currently needed; however, this negatively impacts energy density and thus limiting its thickness is essential. Here we discuss the viability of various technologies for realizing thin lithium films that can be scaled up to the volumes required for gigafactory production. We identify thermal evaporation as a potentially cost-effective route to address these challenges and provide a techno-economic assessment of the projected costs associated with the fabrication of thin, dense lithium metal foils using this process. Finally, we estimate solid-state pack costs made using thermally evaporated lithium foils.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-024-01676-7

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