Mitigating passivation of metal electrodes

An electrochemical cell comprising:

• a first electrode including an iron-containing active material;
• a second electrode;
• and
• an alkaline electrolyte in ionic communication between the first electrode and the second electrode, the alkaline electrolyte in contact with one or more surfaces of the iron-containing active material of the first electrode, the alkaline electrolyte including an additive and, at least on discharge of the electrochemical cell, the additive including an iron-binding ligand formable into a coordination complex with one or more dissolution products of the first electrode on discharge of the electrochemical cell.