Abstract: A metal battery, such as a lithium battery, includes an anode, an anode current collector in electrical contact with the anode, a cathode, a cathode current collector in electrical contact with the cathode, a separator disposed between the anode and cathode, a liquid electrolyte, and an anode protection structure. The anode protection structure includes an anode protection layer disposed between the anode and the separator. The anode protection layer includes a matrix and domains within the matrix. One of the matrix and domains contains a first material and the other of the matrix and domains contains a second material. The first material is less permeable by the electrolyte than the second material.

Abstract: A metal battery (100) having a metal anode (103), e.g. a lithium metal battery, and an anode-free precursor thereof are disclosed. The metal battery or precursor contains an anode protection structure (105) containing a plasma-treated anode protection layer between an anode current collector (101) and a cathode (109). Plasma treatment may be He and or Ar plasma treatment. The plasma may further contain a fluorocarbon, e.g. CHF3.