Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) hold the promise to pushing cell level energy densities beyond 300 Wh kg −1 while operating at ultra-low temperatures (< −30°C). Batteries capable of both charging and discharging at these temperature extremes are highly desirable due to their inherent reduction of external warming requirements. Here we demonstrate that the local solvation structure of the electrolyte defines the charge-transfer behavior at ultra-low temperature, which is crucial for achieving high Li metal coulombic efficiency (CE) and avoiding dendritic growth. These insights were applied to Li metal full cells, where a high-loading 3.5 mAh cm −2 sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) cathode was paired with a one-fold excess Li metal anode. The cell retained 84 % and 76 % of its room temperature capacity when cycled at −40 and −60 °C, respectively, which presented stable performance over 50 cycles. This work provides design criteria for ultra-low temperature LMB electrolytes, and represents a defining step for the performance of low-temperature batteries.

Metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) have been widely recognized as one of the most fascinating classes of materials from science and engineering perspectives, benefiting from their high porosity and well-defined and tailored structures and components at the atomic level. Although their intrinsic micropores endow size-selective capability and high surface area, etc., the narrow pores limit their applications toward diffusion-control and largesize species involved processes. In recent years, the construction of hierarchically porous MOFs (HP-MOFs), MOF-based hierarchically porous composites, and MOF-based hierarchically porous derivatives has captured widespread interest to extend the applications of conventional MOF-based materials. In this Review, the recent advances in the design, synthesis, and functional applications of MOF-based hierarchically porous materials are summarized. Their structural characters toward various applications, including catalysis, gas storage and separation, air filtration, sewage treatment, sensing and energy storage, have been demonstrated with typical reports. The comparison of HP-MOFs with traditional porous materials (e.g., zeolite, porous silica, carbons, metal oxides, and polymers), subsisting challenges, as well as future directions in this research field, are also indicated.

The pore size enlargement and structural stability have been recognized as two crucial targets, which are rarely achieved together, in the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Herein, we have developed a versatile modulator-induced defect-formation strategy, in the presence of monocarboxylic acid as a modulator and an insufficient amount of organic ligand, successfully realizing the controllable synthesis of hierarchically porous MOFs (HP-MOFs) with high stability and tailorable pore characters. Remarkably, the integration of high stability and large mesoporous property enables these HP-MOFs to be important porous platforms for applications involving large molecules, especially in catalysis.

Traditional metal-organic framework (MOF) nanocrystals are not optimized for applications, and their conversion to self-supporting MOF superstructures is highly desired. We develop a general strategy for the fabrication of various MOF hybrid arrays on diverse substrates. Furthermore, the MOF arrays with derived carbon-based composites with well-aligned hierarchical morphology and selfsupporting structure can be applied directly to both anodes and cathodes for water splitting. This approach opens a new avenue for the assembly of MOF-based nanocrystals for broad applications.