ELECTROACTIVE MATERIALS FOR SECONDARY BATTERIES

An electrochemical cell includes an anode that includes silicon, a conductive carbon, a lithium titanate, lithium metal, or a combination of any two or more thereof; a separator; a cathode having a cathode active material and a redox active species either mixed into the cathode or coated onto the cathode; and an electrolyte that includes a salt; and an aprotic solvent comprising a fluorinated ether solvent, a carbonate solvent, or a mixture thereof, with the proviso that the redox active species has substantially no solubility in the electrolyte. The redox active species may be a redox active organic compound or polymer.