Dendrite-free lithium deposition via a fumed silica interlayer as an electron inhibitor in all-solid-state batteries.

Herein, nanosized fumed silica (FS) with poor electrical conductivity is used as an "electron inhibitor" between Li metal and garnet solid electrolyte (SE) to prevent lithium dendrite growth. The FS demonstrated its effectiveness in preventing the fast lithium dendrite propagation during the long-term lithium stripping and plating processes, leading to an enhanced battery performance. We believe this study could help shed light on such electron inhibitors in constructing all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) with superior cycling performance.