Anode-free or reservoir-free cells (RFCs) hold promise for enhancing solid-state battery technology. This study establishes a protocol for characterizing the microstructure of lithium and sodium metal in RFCs using focused ion beam (FIB) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Analysis reveals large grain sizes (>100 μm) and preferential grain boundary orientation in electrodeposited films. In situ EBSD reveals dynamic grain coarsening during electrodeposition and pore formation during dissolution. The findings advance understanding of microstructure-property relations in solid-state batteries.

Till Fuchs, Till Ortmann, Juri Becker, Catherine G. Haslam, Maya Ziegler, Vipin Kumar Singh, Marcus Rohnke, Boris Mogwitz, Klaus Peppler, Linda F. Nazar, Jeff Sakamoto, Jürgen Janek