Battery electrode compositions are provided comprising core-shell composites. Each of the composites may comprise, for example, an active material, a collapsible core, and a shell. The active material may be provided to store and release metal ions during battery operation, whereby the storing and releasing of the metal ions causes a substantial change in volume of the active material. The collapsible core may be disposed in combination with the active material to accommodate the changes in volume. The shell may at least partially encase the active material and the core, the shell being formed from a material that is substantially permeable to the metal ions stored and released by the active material.