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Lithium metal anodes show immense scope for application in high-energy electronics and electric vehicles. Unfortunately, lithium dendrite growth and volume change leading to short lifespan and safety issues severely limit the feasibility of lithium metal batteries. A rational design of metal-organic framework (MOF)-modified Li metal anode with optimized Li plating/ stripping behavior via one-step carbonization of ZIF-67 is proposed. Experimental and theoretical simulation results reveal that carbonized MOFs with uniformly dispersed Co nanoparticles in N-graphene (Co@N-G) exhibit an electronic/ionic dual-conductivity and significantly improved affinity with Li, and so serve as an ideal host for dendrite-free lithium deposition, consequently leading to uniform lithium plating/stripping during cycling. As a result, the anode delivers highly stable cyclic performance with high coulombic efficiency (CE) at ultrahigh current densities (CE = 91.5% after 130 cycles at 10 mA cm −2 , and CE = 90.4% after 80 cycles at 15 mA cm −2 ). Moreover, the practical applicability and functionality of such anodes are demonstrated through assembly of Li-Co@N-G/NCM full batteries exhibiting a long cycle life of 100 cycles with a high capacity retention of 92% at 1 C.

Designing electrodes in a highly ordered structure simultaneously with appropriate orientation, outstanding mechanical robustness, and high electrical conductivity to achieve excellent electrochemical performance remains a daunting challenge. Inspired by the phenomenon in nature that leaves significantly increase exposed tree surface area to absorb carbon dioxide (like ions) from the environments (like electrolyte) for photosynthesis, we report a design of micro-conduits in a bioinspired leaves-on-branchlet structure consisting of carbon nanotube arrays serving as branchlets and graphene petals as leaves for such electrodes. The hierarchical all-carbon micro-conduit electrodes with hollow channels exhibit high areal capacitance of 2.35 F cm−2 (~500 F g−1 based on active material mass), high rate capability and outstanding cyclic stability (capacitance retention of ~95% over 10,000 cycles). Furthermore, Nernst–Planck–Poisson calculations elucidate the underlying mechanism of charge transfer and storage governed by sharp graphene petal edges, and thus provides insights into their outstanding electrochemical performance.

In article number 1903376, Li‐Zhen Fan and co‐workers prepare thin, flexible, and nonflammable composite solid electrolytes with plastic crystals in a 3D garnet‐based framework by a facile, solvent‐free method, and these unique composite solid electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and low interfacial resistance endow LiFePO4|Li and LiNi0.5Mln0.3Co0.2O2|Li cells with high discharge specific capacities, and desirable cyclic stabilities at room temperature.