Lithium ion conducting protective film and method of use

A method of preparing a layer-by-layer lithium ion conducting protective film, the method comprising:

• disposing a lithium anode protective layer on a substrate;
• disposing a lithium ion conductive layer on the substrate;
• and
• introducing a cross-linking component to cross-link the lithium anode protective layer and the lithium ion conductive layer of the film.

A lithium-air electrochemical cell comprising:

• an anode comprising lithium;
• an oxygen gas diffusive cathode;
• a lithium conducting electrolyte interposed between the anode and the cathode;
• and
• a lithium ion conducting protective film interposed between the anode and the electrolyte, the lithium ion conducting protective film comprising:
• a lithium anode protective layer;
• a lithium ion conductive layer;
• and
• a cross-linking component to cross-link the lithium anode protective layer and the lithium ion conductive layer of the film.