The properties of hybrid Sn-based artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers in protecting Li-metal electrodes toward surface instabilities were investigated via a combined experimental and theoretical approach. The performance of coating layers can be coherently explained based on the nature of the coating species. Notably, when starting from a chloride precursor, the hybrid coating layer is formed by an intimate mixture of Li7Sn2 and LiCl: the first ensures a high bulk ionic conductivity, while the second forms an external layer allowing a fast surface diffusion of Li+ to avoid dendrite growth, a low surface tension to guarantee the thermodynamic stability of the protective layer, and a negative underneath plating energy (UPE) to promote lithium plating at the interface between the Li metal and the coating layer. The synergy between the two components and, in particular, the crucial role of LiCl in the promotion of such an underneath plating mechanism are shown to be the key properties to improve the performance of artificial SEI layers.
Keywords: artificial SEI; density functional theory; hybrid coating; lithium battery; underneath plating.