Integrated Geometry-Interphase Design of Array-Patterned Lithium Anodes for Pressure-Stabilized Lean-Electrolyte Pouch Cells

Synchrotron X-ray computed tomography demonstrates that this coupled design promotes compact in-pattern lithium deposition and reduces the reconstructed deposited- Li volume by 83.9% relative to bare Li under the same nominal deposition condition. This microscopic densification of Li deposition is associated with macroscopic pressure stabilization, as evidenced by a low internal cell pressure variation of ΔP = 0.04 MPa during operando monitoring.

As a device-level validation, large-area Li||NCM811 bi-cell pouches with high cathode loading (20.7 mg cm⁻², ~4.14 mAh cm-2) deliver 89% capacity retention after 100 cycles under lean-electrolyte conditions (E/C = 3.0 g Ah⁻¹). This work highlights integrated geometry-interphase coupling as an effective design principle for pressure-stabilized, lean-electrolyte lithium-metal pouch cells.