Composite coating for electrochemical electrode and method

An electrochemical cell comprising:

• an electrochemically active species;
• an anode for storing said active species and subsequently discharging at least a portion of such stored active species to provide a supply of electrons, said anode comprising an anode body comprising active species material, said active species material comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lithium, sodium potassium, magnesium and calcium, and a composite coating over said electrode body comprising a non-metallic, inorganic, ionically conductive active species layer forming a coating over said electrode body for reducing passivation of said electrode body, said active species layer comprising the active species material of said anode, at least one electronegative element selected from the group consisting of fluorine, iodine, bromine, chlorine, sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen and at least one amphoteric element and a polymer layer over said active species layer for maintaining the mechanical integrity of said active species layer;
• cathode means for providing diffusion of said active species between said anode and said cathode means during operation of the cell, said cathode means operatively associated with said anode and including an electrolyte.

A coated electrode which is capable of electrochemically releasing an active species to a nonaqueous electrolyte in an electrochemical cell, said electrode comprising:

• an electrode body comprising active species material, said active species material comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, for storing said active species and subsequently discharging at least a portion of such stored active species to provide a supply of electrons;
• a coating over said electrode body comprising a non-metallic, inorganic, ionically conductive active species layer forming a coating over said electrode body for reducing passivation of said electrode body, said active species layer comprising said active species material present in said electrode body, at least one electronegative element selected from the group consisting of fluorine, iodine, bromine, chlorine, sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen and at least one amphoteric element.

The electrode of claim 33 wherein said active species layer consists essentially of lithium, silicon and at least one electronegative element selected from the group consisting of fluorine, iodine, bromine, chlorine, nitrogen and oxygen.