Long lifetime in concentrated LiOH aqueous solution of air electrode protected with interpenetrating polymer network membrane

► We developed an air electrode with long lifetime in concentrated LiOH aqueous solution. ► Electrode is protected with an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) membrane combining an anion conducting network with an neutral polymer network. ► IPNs have an ion conductivity of about 1 × 10−3 S cm−1 with good cation selectivity. ► Air electrode/IPN membrane assemblies are characterized under untreated air. ► They exhibit a discharge stability in LiOH 5 M ten times higher than that of a bare electrode under the same conditions.