Processes for preparing functional particles for use in electrochemical cells and electrochemical cells including said functional particles

A method of preparing functional electrode particles for an electrochemical cell, the method comprising:

• (a) combining a solution comprising (NH4)3PO4 with a polymeric binder to form a second mixture;
• (b) adding electroactive particles to the second mixture;
• and
• (c) adding a lithium salt to the second mixture to form a second slurry comprising functional electrode particles, wherein the functional electrode particles comprise the electroactive particles and Li3PO4.

An electrochemical cell comprising:

• a positive electrode layer comprising a first electroactive material;
• a negative electrode layer spaced apart from the positive electrode layer, wherein the negative electrode layer comprises a second electroactive material;
• a porous separator disposed between confronting surfaces of the negative electrode layer and the positive electrode layer;
• a liquid electrolyte infiltrating one or more of the negative electrode layer, the positive electrode layer, and the porous separator layer;
• functional lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles comprising Li3PO4, wherein the functional lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles comprise cages defined by 8-membered rings, 9-membered rings, 10-membered rings, 12-membered rings or a combination thereof and wherein the cages contain the Li3PO4;
• and
• optionally, functional electrode particles comprising:
• (a) Li3PO4 and the first electroactive material;
• and/or (b) Li3PO4 and the second electroactive material.