Coated lithium electrodes

An anode for use in an electrochemical cell, said anode comprising:

• a lithium metal layer;
• and
• a metal-lithium alloy layer substantially thinner than the lithium metal layer
• wherein the metal-lithium alloy layer is effective to increase lithium cycling efficiency and anode stability towards electrolyte components during storage of said electrochemical cell.

A method of forming a lithium anode with a metal-lithium alloy layer including a surface coating, for an electrochemical cell, the method comprising:

• depositing a metal layer on an outer surface of the lithium foil;
• alloying the lithium foil and the metal layer on the outer surface of the lithium foil to form a metal-lithium alloy layer;
• and
• forming a surface coating on the metal-lithium alloy layer,
• wherein said lithium anode is effective to increase lithium cycling efficiency and anode stability towards electrolyte components during storage of said electrochemical cell.

A method of forming a lithium anode with an aluminum-lithium alloy layer for an electrochemical cell, the method comprising:

• pressing at a first pressure an aluminum foil sheet to an outer surface of lithium foil sheet to form the aluminum-lithium alloy layer of said anode;
• while pressed at the first pressure, heating said anode at a first temperature for a first time in a first gas;
• pressing at a second pressure said anode in a second gas for a second time;
• and
• heating said anode at a second temperature for a third time.

A battery cell comprising:

• a. a positive electrode comprising a mixture of
• i. an electrochemically active material, and
• ii. an electronically conductive material,
• b. a negative electrode (anode) comprising a lithium layer with a metal-lithium alloy layer including a surface coating that is effective to increase lithium cycling efficiency and anode stability towards electrolyte components during storage of said electrochemical cell;
• and
• c. an electrolyte electronically separating the positive and negative electrodes.