Dissolution of transition metals from high-voltage cathodes and their incorporation into the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) of carbonaceous anodes drastically reduces the lifetime of Li-ion batteries. The effects of dissolved transition metals on the performance of carbonaceous anodes are well characterized; however, the impact on Li-metal anode performance and the SEI is rarely considered. Here, we use cryogenic electron microscopy to reveal the impact of dissolved Ni on the SEI formation process on Li-metal. A link between Ni incorporation into the SEI and the failure of Li-metal batteries is established. We find that Ni is reduced into its metallic state and incorporates as small clusters into the SEI, locally changing the chemistry and nanostructure of the SEI. These chemical and nanostructure changes locally modify the Li-ion and electron transport properties of the SEI, accelerating electrolyte decomposition, increasing formation of “dead” Li, and ultimately causing failure.

过渡金属从高压阴极中溶解出来，并混入碳质阳极的固体电解质中间相（SEI）中，从而大大缩短了锂离子电池的使用寿命。溶解过渡金属对碳质阳极性能的影响已得到很好的表征。但是，很少考虑对锂金属阳极性能和SEI的影响。在这里，我们使用低温电子显微镜揭示溶解的镍对SEI形成过程对锂金属的影响。在SEI中掺入镍与锂金属电池的故障之间建立了联系。我们发现，镍被还原成金属态，并以小簇的形式并入SEI中，从而局部改变SEI的化学性质和纳米结构。