| abstract |
A metal battery 100, e.g. a lithium battery, comprises an anode 103, an anode current collector 101 in electrical contact with the anode, a cathode 109, a cathode current collector 110 in electrical contact with the cathode, a separator 107 disposed between the anode and cathode, a liquid electrolyte, and an anode protection structure comprising an anode protection layer 105 disposed between the anode and the separator. The anode protection layer has a matrix 105A and domains 105B within the matrix. One of the matrix and domains contains a barrier material and the other of the matrix and domains contains polyethylene oxide, wherein the barrier material is less permeable by the electrolyte than the polyethylene oxide. Preferably, the matrix comprises the barrier material and the domains comprise the (more permeable) polyethylene oxide. The barrier material is preferably a polymer and may be a semiconducting conjugated polymer. A metal battery precursor in which the anode protection layer is deposited directly on the anode current collector before in situ generation of the anode layer, and a method of forming the battery or battery precursor are also disclosed. |