An electrochemical cell, comprising: an anode comprising lithium; a protective layer adjacent to the anode comprising a polymer; and a cathode, wherein the polymer comprises polymerized units of a first monomer comprising a group capable of associating with a metal cation, a second monomer comprising a hydrophilic group, and, optionally, a third monomer comprising a crosslinking group and, wherein the first monomer has the following structure, wherein W is a group capable of associating with a metal cation and wherein W has the structure, or wherein each R 1 is independently halide, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted heteroalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, or optionally substituted heteroaryl and wherein the second monomer has the following structure, wherein X is a group comprising a hydrophilic group, and wherein X is aryl substituted with an optionally substituted heteroalkyl, an optionally substituted heterocycloalkyl, or an optionally substituted aryl-heteroalkyl or wherein X has the structure, wherein Q is optionally substituted alkylene, optionally substituted heteroalkylene, optionally substituted arylene, or optionally substituted heteroalkylene; R 2 is H, optionally substituted alkyl, or optionally substituted aryl; g is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and h is an integer from 1 to 100 or wherein X has the structure, wherein R 2 is H, optionally substituted alkyl, or optionally substituted aryl; g is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and h is an integer from 1 to 100 or wherein X has the structure, or wherein R 2 is H, optionally substituted alkyl, or optionally substituted aryl; a, c, and d are each independently an integer between 1-100; and b is an integer between 1-50. an anode comprising lithium; a protective layer adjacent to the anode comprising a polymer; and a cathode, wherein the polymer comprises polymerized units of a first monomer comprising a group capable of associating with a metal cation, a second monomer comprising a hydrophilic group, and, optionally, a third monomer comprising a crosslinking group and, wherein the first monomer has the following structure, wherein W is a group capable of associating with a metal cation and wherein W has the structure, or wherein each R 1 is independently halide, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted heteroalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, or optionally substituted heteroaryl and wherein the second monomer has the following structure, wherein X is a group comprising a hydrophilic group, and wherein X is aryl substituted with an optionally substituted heteroalkyl, an optionally substituted heterocycloalkyl, or an optionally substituted aryl-heteroalkyl or wherein X has the structure, wherein Q is optionally substituted alkylene, optionally substituted heteroalkylene, optionally substituted arylene, or optionally substituted heteroalkylene; R 2 is H, optionally substituted alkyl, or optionally substituted aryl; g is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and h is an integer from 1 to 100 or wherein X has the structure, wherein R 2 is H, optionally substituted alkyl, or optionally substituted aryl; g is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and h is an integer from 1 to 100 or wherein X has the structure, or wherein R 2 is H, optionally substituted alkyl, or optionally substituted aryl; a, c, and d are each independently an integer between 1-100; and b is an integer between 1-50.