Electroactive particles having electronically conductive coatings

A method for preparing an electrode material for use in an electrochemical cell, the method comprising:

• prelithiating a silicon-containing electroactive material precursor so as to form a prelithiated silicon-containing electroactive material, and
• contacting the prelithiated silicon-containing electroactive material with a solution comprising a solvent and one or more of copper fluoride (CuF2), titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4), iron fluoride (FeF3), nickel fluoride (NiF2), manganese fluoride (MnF2, MnF3, or MnF4), and vanadium fluoride (VF3, VF4, VF5) so as to form an electronically conductive coating on the prelithiated silicon-containing electroactive material so as to form a coated prelithiated electroactive material that defines the electrode material, wherein the electronically conductive coating includes a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions, wherein the plurality of first regions comprise lithium fluoride and the plurality of second regions comprise one of copper, titanium, iron, nickel, manganese, and vanadium.

An electrode material for use in an electrochemical cell, the electrode material comprising a plurality of electroactive material particles, each electroactive material particle comprising:

• an electroactive material core, and
• an electronically conductive coating surrounding the electroactive material core, wherein the electronically conductive coating comprises a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions, the plurality of first regions comprising lithium fluoride, and the plurality of second regions comprising one of copper, titanium, iron, nickel, manganese, and vanadium.