Free-standing 3D nitrogen–carbon anchored Cu nanorod arrays: in situ derivation from a metal–organic framework and strategy to stabilize lithium metal anodes

A free-standing and integrated 3D nitrogen–carbon co-doped Cu nanorod arrays (3D NC/Cu) as a completely new current collector is in situ derived from the metal–organic framework (MOF) and can effectively address dendrite issues for lithium batteries.