Modulation of dendritic patterns during electrodeposition: A nonlinear phase-field model

•A nonlinear phase-field model was developed for the dendritic growth.•The model accounts for the Butler–Volmer electrochemical reaction kinetics.•The model was verified by the Nernst equation.•Three different dendritic patterns were discovered.•A design map was proposed to avoid undesired dendritic patterns.

A nonlinear phase-field model, accounting for the Butler–Volmer electrochemical reaction kinetics, is developed to investigate the dendritic patterns during an electrodeposition process. Using lithium electrodeposition as an example, the proposed model is first verified by comparison with the Nernst equation in a 1D equilibrium system. The nonlinear electrochemical kinetics is also confirmed at non-equilibrium condition. The dendritic patterns are examined as a function of applied voltage and initial electrode surface morphology. A design map is proposed to tailor the electrode surface morphology and the applied voltage to avoid undesired dendritic patterns.