METHODS OF PREPARING LITHIUM METAL ANODES

A lithium-based electrode assembly and methods of formation relating thereto are provided. The lithium-based electrode assembly comprises a metal current collector, an electrode comprising lithium metal, and an intermediate layer disposed therebetween. The intermediate layer comprising an intermetallic compound comprising the lithium metal of the electrode and a metal selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, silver, gold, barium, bismuth, boron, calcium, cadmium, carbon, gallium, germanium, mercury, indium, iridium, lead, palladium, platinum, rhodium, antimony, selenium, silicon, tin, strontium, sulfur, tellurium, zinc, and combinations thereof. The method of forming the lithium assembly includes coating a surface of the metal current collector with the intermediate layer; disposing the electrode onto an exposed surface of the intermediate layer; and heating the electrode, the intermediate layer, and the metal current collector to form the lithium intermetallic compound, which joins the metal current collector and the electrode together.