A method for producing a volume change compensated (SSLC) material is disclosed. An initially prelithiated SSLC material is produced and delithiated to produce a delithiated SSLC material. Perform at least one iteration involving: (a) re-prelithiating the delithiated SSLC material to produce a re-prelithiated SSLC material; and (b) delithiating the re-prelithiated SSLC material produced in (a). At least one of the following is satisfied: (i) prior to performing the at least one iteration the initially prelithiated SSLC material is essentially completely lithiated; and (ii) at least one iteration produces a re-prelithiated SSLC material that is essentially completely prelithiated. In a final iteration, delithiating the re-prelithiated SSLC material produced in (a) completely delithiates the re-prelithiated SSLC material to produce the volume change compensated SSLC material. The aforesaid process is performed ex situ with respect to fabrication of an anode that contains the produced volume change compensated SSLC material.