Lithium metal powder for lithium-ion applications

A stabilized lithium metal powder is coated with a substantially continuous layer of a polymer, the coating layer having a thickness of 25 to 200nm. Such a substantially continuous polymer layer provides improved protection of the lithium powder compared with typical CO2-passivation. A further inorganic coating layer may also be provided. The stabilized lithium metal powder finds particular application as an anode material in a Li-ion battery, where the lithium powder is dispersed in a host material capable of absorbing or desorbing lithium. The host material may comprise at least one material selected from carbonaceous materials, silicon, tin, tin oxides, composite tin alloys, transition metal oxides, lithium metal nitrides, graphite, carbon black and lithium metal oxides. A method of forming the stabilized lithium powder is also described.