Protected active metal electrode and battery cell structures with non-aqueous interlayer architecture

Abstract

Active metal and active metal intercalation electrode structures and battery cells having ionically conductive protective architecture including an active metal (e.g., lithium) conductive impervious layer separated from the electrode (anode) by a porous separator impregnated with a non-aqueous electrolyte (anolyte). This protective architecture prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment on the other (cathode) side of the impervious layer, which may include aqueous or non-aqueous liquid electrolytes (catholytes) and/or a variety of electrochemically active materials, including liquid, solid and gaseous oxidizers. Safety additives and designs that facilitate manufacture are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrochemical cell structure, comprising:
 an anode comprising a material selected from the group consisting of active metal, active metal-ion, active metal alloying metal, and active metal intercalating material; and   an ionically conductive protective architecture on a first surface of the anode, the architecture comprising,
 an active metal ion conducting separator layer comprising a non-aqueous anolyte, the separator layer being chemically compatible with the active metal, and in contact with the anode, and 
 a substantially impervious ionically conductive layer chemically compatible with the separator layer and with aqueous environments, and in contact with the separator layer.