Recent research progress of alloy-containing lithium anodes in lithium-metal batteries

•Recent progress of alloy-containing lithium anodes are introduced.•Common fabrication approaches of alloy-containing lithium anodes are introduced.•The action mechanism of alloy components in lithium anodes are summarized and discussed in focus.•The shortcomings and challenges as well as the prospects of alloy-containing lithium anodes are also analyzed.Abstract. Lithium metal is regarded as one of the most ideal anode materials for next-generation batteries, due to its high theoretical capacity of 3860 mAh g−1 and low redox potential (−3.04 V vs standard hydrogen electrode). However, practical applications of lithium anodes are impeded by the uncontrollable growth of lithium dendrite and continuous reactions between lithium and electrolyte during cycling processes. According to reports for decades, artificial solid electrolyte interface (SEI), electrolyte additives, and construction of three-dimensional (3D) structures are demonstrated essential strategies. Among numerous approaches, metals that can alloy with lithium have been employed to homogenize lithium deposition and accelerate Li ion transportation, which attract more and more attention. This review aims to summarize the lithium alloying applied in lithium anodes including the fabricating approaches of alloy-containing lithium anodes, and the action mechanism and challenges of fabricated lithium anodes. Based on summarizing the literature, shortcomings and challenges as well as the prospects are also analyzed, to impel further research of lithium anodes and lithium-based batteries.