This paper presents some examples of surface studies of noble metals and Li electrodes in Li battery electrolyte solutions using in situ FTIR spectroscopic techniques. These examples include the study of a mixture of solvents, the role of the reduction of salt in the build-up of surface films on the electrodes and the impact of contaminants such as traces of oxgen and water. The techniques included multiple and single internal reflectance modes and external reflectance (SNIFTIRS-type) mode. The following conclusions were drawn from this study: (i) salts containing the -SO2CF3, group are much more reactive on Li than LiAsF6,. Their reduction dominates the surface chemistry developed on Li in ethereal solutions; (ii) water reduction on Li in wet I,3-dioxolane solution may not form stable LiOH films due to the further reaction of the hydroxy group with the solvent; (iii) in spite of its low solubility, oxygen dissolved in propylene carbonate and tetrahydrofuran solutions has some impact on the surface chemistry developed on I,i in these solutions (probably due to Li2O formation).