Negative electrode for lithium metal battery and lithium metal battery comprising the same

A lithium metal battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte between the positive electrode and the negative electrode,

• wherein the negative electrode comprises:
• a lithium metal electrode comprising lithium metal or a lithium metal alloy;
• and
• a protective layer on at least a portion of the lithium metal electrode,
• wherein the protective layer has a Young's modulus of about 106 Pascals or greater,
• wherein the protective layer comprises
• at least one first particle, wherein the first particle comprises an organic particle, an inorganic particle, an organic-inorganic particle, or a combination thereof, and wherein the first particle has a particle size of greater than 1 micrometer to about 100 micrometers, and
• a crosslinked material comprising a polymerizable oligomer, which is disposed between first particles of the at least one first particle.

A method of manufacturing a negative electrode for a lithium metal battery, the method comprising:

• providing a lithium metal electrode comprising lithium metal or a lithium metal alloy;
• and
• disposing a protective layer on at least a portion of the lithium metal electrode to manufacture the negative electrode,
• wherein the protective layer has a Young's modulus of about 106 Pascals or greater and comprises
• at least one first particle, wherein the first particle comprises an organic particle, an inorganic particle, an organic-inorganic particle, or a combination thereof, and wherein the first particle has having a particle size of greater than 1 micrometer to about 100 micrometers, and
• a crosslinked material comprising a polymerizable oligomer, which is disposed between first particles of the at least one first particle.