Lithium Metal Anode and Battery

The lithium metal electrode, manufactured according to a method comprising:

• (1) providing a gas-impermeable container, the container enclosing:
• a blanketing atmosphere, the blanketing atmosphere having no more than 10 ppm of lithium reactive components on a molar basis;
• an electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell being blanketed completely by the blanketing atmosphere, and including:
• a first chamber containing a positive electrode, and an aqueous lithium salt solution in contact with the positive electrode;
• a second chamber containing a conductive substrate configured as a negative electrode, the conductive substrate being immovable within the second chamber, a lithium ion-selective membrane separating the first chamber from the second chamber, a space separating the conductive substrate and the lithium ion-selective membrane, and a non-aqueous electrolyte disposed in the space between the conductive substrate and the lithium ion selective membrane, physically contacting both the conductive substrate and the lithium ion selective membrane;
• the electrolytic cell being configured to allow passage of lithium ions through the lithium ion selective membrane between the first and the second chambers, and to preclude the passage of other chemical species between the first and the second chambers;
• (2) applying a variable voltage in order to maintain a constant current across the negative electrode and the positive electrode, thereby causing lithium ions to cross from the first chamber to the second chamber, through the lithium ion selective membrane and the non-aqueous electrolyte, and electroplate a layer of lithium onto the conductive substrate, the layer of lithium having an inner face bonded to the conductive substrate and an outer face directed towards the lithium ion-selective membrane, thereby forming the lithium metal electrode, comprising the layer of lithium bonded to the conductive substrate,
• wherein the constant current is between about 10 mA/cm2 and about 50 mA/cm2, and wherein the constant current is applied for a time between about 1 minute and about 60 minutes.