METHOD OF IMPROVING THE CYCLE STABILITY OF LITHIUM METAL SECONDARY BATTERIES

Provided is a method of improving the cycle-life of a lithium metal secondary battery, the method comprising implementing an anode-protecting layer between an anode active material layer (or an anode current collector layer substantially without any lithium when the battery is made) and a porous separator/electrolyte assembly, wherein the anode-protecting layer is in a close physical contact with the anode active material layer (or the anode current collector), has a thickness from 10 nm to 500 μm and comprises an electrically and ionically conducting network of cross-linked polymer chains having a lithium ion conductivity from 10to 5×10S/cm and an electron conductivity from 10to 10S/cm and wherein the anode active material layer contains a layer of lithium or lithium alloy, in a form of a foil, coating, or multiple particles aggregated together, as an anode active material.