Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, based on the redox reaction between elemental sulfur and lithium metal, have attracted great interest because of their inherently high theoretical energy density. However, the severe polysulfide shuttle effect and sluggish reaction kinetics in sulfur cathodes, as well as dendrite growth in lithium-metal anodes are great obstacles for their practical application. Herein, a two-in-one approach with superhierarchical cobalt-embedded nitrogen-doped porous carbon nanosheets (Co/N-PCNSs) as stable hosts for both elemental sulfur and metallic lithium to improve their performance simultaneously is reported. Experimental and theoretical results reveal that stable Co nanoparticles, elaborately encapsulated by N-doped graphitic carbon, can work synergistically with N heteroatoms to reserve the soluble polysulfides and promote the redox reaction kinetics of sulfur cathodes. Moreover, the high-surface-area pore structure and the Co-enhanced lithiophilic N heteroatoms in Co/N-PCNSs can regulate metallic lithium plating and successfully suppress lithium dendrite growth in the anodes. As a result, a full lithium-sulfur cell constructed with Co/N-PCNSs as two-in-one hosts demonstrates excellent capacity retention with stable Coulombic efficiency.

The demand for practical and cost-effective environmental treatment and energy storage materials is exploding. Porous polymeric and carbonaceous materials have attracted tremendous interest on account of their welldeveloped porosity and tunable surface chemistry. Functionalization of pore structures further enhances their properties for environmental treatment and energy storage. Herein, the procedures for functionalization of porous structures are introduced, including predesign and postsynthetic strategies. Subsequently, the important advancements of emerging porous polymers for environmental treatment in sorption (e.g., organic micropollutant adsorption, heavy metal ion removal, radionuclide extraction, and oil absorption) and membrane separation (e.g., aqueous micropollutant separation, organic solvent nanofiltration, desalination and pervaporation), as well as for energy storage ranging from the electrodes and separators of batteries to supercapacitor electrodes are highlighted. Moreover, given the combined merits of high intrinsic conductivity, porosity, and physicochemical stability, novel polymer-based porous carbons for energy storage are also highlighted. Key functionalization chemistry for each application is discussed and an in-depth understanding of the structure-property relationships of these functional porous materials is provided. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of emerging functional porous polymeric and carbonaceous materials for environmental treatment and energy storage are proposed.

Aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (ZIBs) are a promising energy storage technology due to their intrinsic safety, eco‐friendliness, and cost‐effectiveness. However, aqueous electrolytes generally induce parasitic interfacial reactions (e.g., dendrite growth and passivation) that degrade the Zn metal anode, shortening ZIBs lifespan. This study develops a novel hydrated deep eutectic electrolyte (DEE), containing sulfolane (SL) and Zn(ClO4)2·6H2O, to prevent water‐induced deterioration. The strong coordination between SL and Zn2+ triggers the deep eutectic effect, extending the operating temperature window of the DEE. The unique water‐in‐DEE structure boosts ionic diffusion, promotes Zn2+ deposition, and reduces water reactivity, as revealed by in‐depth simulations and experiments. The developed DEE suppresses dendrite formation, allowing the Zn|DEE|Zn symmetrical cells to cycle over thousands of hours without short‐circuiting. With a polyaniline (PANI) cathode, Zn|DEE|PANI cells can cycle 2500 times with a capacity of 72 mAh g−1 at 3 A g−1 at room temperature and 500 times with 73 mAh g−1 at 0.3 A g−1 at −30 °C. The newly developed DEE significantly is a step forward for inexpensive, stable, and high‐performance ZIBs.