Batteries including a lithium anode stabilized with a metal-lithium alloy
and battery cells comprising such anodes are provided. In one embodiment, an electrochemical
cell having an anode and a sulfur electrode including at least one of elemental
sulfur, lithium sulfide, and a lithium polysulfide is provided. The anode includes
a lithium core and a ternary alloy layer over the lithium core where the ternary
alloy comprises lithium and two other metals. The ternary alloy layer is effective
to increase cycle life and storageability of the electrochemical cell. In a more
particular embodiment, the ternary alloy layer is comprised of lithium, copper
and tin.