Having demonstrated that water-as-additive yields a similar morphology to strategies based on the in-situ formation of HF, we turn our attention to potential mechanisms responsible for the columnar growth mode. In particular, we independently looked at the formation step (i.e. electrochemistry occurring at potentials above the thermodynamic lithium deposition potential, or 0 V vs. Li QRE), and the growth step. Here, there appears to be ambiguity in literature with some reports stating that the formation step is critical , and others emphasizing the importance of continuous stirring (or continuous supply of the additive) of the electrolyte during growth .