An electrode material useful as a dry in place deposit comprising at least one metal chelating polymer; an active material capable of reversibly intercalating lithium ions; a plurality of electrical conductor particles; a binder polymer. The electrode material is formed into a slurry using a non-aqueous solvent. The metal chelating polymer may be a reaction product of a polyphenolic polymer; an aldehyde, a ketone, or mixtures thereof; and an amine. The electrode material slurry is deposited on a current collector and dried to form a positive electrode in a secondary lithium ion battery. The deposited electrode material has high flexibility, adhesion to the current collector, resistance to electrolyte damage, and low electrical resistance. The electrode material forms a superior positive electrode at a relatively low additional cost and with no increase in process complexity.