Advances in graphene-based hosts for lithium metal anodes

Creating host materials is viewed as a crucial strategy to tackle challenges like unregulated dendritic growth, inconsistent solid electrolyte interphase, and significant volume changes in lithium metal anodes (LMAs). Graphene stands out as a particularly good option due to its structural tunability and unique properties. Recent advancements in graphene-based hosts are encouraging, warranting a dedicated review on the subject. This review delves into the pivotal role of graphene-based hosts in enhancing the overall performance of LMAs. First, the lithiation methods in graphene-based hosts are discussed, which is crucial for the functioning of LMAs. Second, special attention is given to the strategies that involve modifying the structure and composition of graphene-based materials to enhance their performances. The progress made in designing various kinds of hosts, including nanostructured graphene, heteroatom-doped graphene, and composites of graphene with other nanomaterials are systematically analyzed. Lastly, the remaining challenges in developing graphene-based hosts for LMAs, as well as the opportunities and potential directions for future research are featured. We hope the insights provided here can help researchers to gain a deeper understanding of graphene-based hosts, accelerating the innovation and development of high-performance, cost-effective LMAs.