Lithium-air batteries using hydrophobic ionic liquid consisting of 1-alkyl-3-methyl imidazolium cation and perfluoroalkylsulfonyl imide anion were investigated. 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide, which has high conductivity and prevents hydrolysis of the lithium anode, showed the best electrolyte performance. The cell worked for 56 days in air, and the cathode carbon materials showed high discharge capacity of 5360 mAh g(-1). In addition to hydrophobic ionic liquids for use as electrolytes, various carbon materials for use as high-capacity cathodes were investigated. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.