In an aspect, the interface layer may be directly deposited on top of the ionic conductive membrane. Thermal treatment may be required to densify the interface layer. Alternatively, a material may be deposited on top of the ionic conductive membrane followed by a conversion to the actual interface layer. Conversion techniques may include, but not limited to thermal, chemical, etc. The interface layer acts as a protection layer if the electrolyte material is unstable to lithium metal when in direct contact, materials includes but not limited to LiPON. In another occasion, the layer could act as a wetting layer between lithium metal and the solid-state electrolyte materials, such as Al₂O₃ layer between lithium and LLZO.

In an aspect, lithium metal may be directly deposited on top of the interface layer. Alternatively, a lithium containing material may be deposited on top of the interface layer followed by a conversion to lithium metal. Conversion techniques may include, but not limited to thermal, chemical, etc.

An ionic conductive membrane may be deposited on both sides of a support scaffold. The support scaffolds can be green body support scaffolds that are converted to a macro porous support scaffold through decomposition. Alternatively, the support scaffolds can be a pre-filled support scaffolds where the pre-filling material is then removed. Once the macro porous support scaffolds are formed, the ionic conductive membrane may be sintered. An illustration of the membrane structure formation can be seen in FIGS. 3a and b.