Patent ID: 8652692

Claim:
A non-aqueous alkali metal/oxygen battery cell, comprising: a protected anode, comprising, an alkali metal anode having a first surface and a second surface, a protective membrane architecture on at least the first surface of the anode, a cathode compartment comprising an oxygen electrode, molecular oxygen, and a non-aqueous oxygen electrode-compatible catholyte comprising a first alkali metal anode-incompatible solvent, the first alkali metal anode-incompatible solvent in contact with and enhancing the performance of the oxygen electrode, the first alkali metal anode-incompatible solvent not in contact with the alkali metal anode, the first alkali metal anode-incompatible solvent selected from the group consisting of amides, amines, nitriles, organophosphorous solvents, organosulfur solvents, alcohols, diols and liquid polyols; and, wherein the protective membrane architecture comprises one or more materials configured to provide a first membrane surface chemically compatible with the alkali metal anode in contact with the anode, and a second membrane surface substantially impervious to and chemically compatible with the components of the cathode compartment; and further wherein the cell is configured for electrochemical reduction of the molecular oxygen on the surface or in the bulk of the oxygen electrode to produce lithium peroxide and electrochemical oxidation at the anode without contact between the alkali metal anode and the first alkali metal anode-incompatible solvent.