The dissolution and diffusion of Li polysulfide (LiPS) intermediates are regarded as one of the most serious problems for capacity decay and cell failure of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Herein we proposed a failure mechanism of Li metal anode in Li-S cells based on the mechanistic investigation into the complex interactions between LiPSs and Li metal. The LiPSs participate the formation of inorganic layers in the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) in a LiPS-LiNO3 containing ether-based electrolyte. Li metal anode is well protected by the stable inorganic layer in-situ formed in an electrolyte containing 0.020 M Li2S5 (0.10 M sulfur) and 5.0 wt % LiNO3. The metal anode with LiF-Li2Sx riched SEI rendered a stable Coulombic efficiency of 95% after 233 cycles for Li-Cu half cells. A dendrite-free morphology of Li metal anode is observed under the harsh condition. When the LiPS is with a very high concentration of higher than 0.50 M sulfur in the organic electrolyte, the in-situ formed SEI cannot well maintain and the Li metal is gradually etched. Therefore, the polysulfide dissolution and diffusion should be delicately regulated to render a practical Li-S cell when the areal sulfur loading is high. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.