Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed related to a current collector comprising a porous, freestanding, three-dimensional structure and at least one current collector tab. The current collector tab and the three-dimensional structure are connected. The three-dimensional structure comprises at least one layer that is formed of a one-dimensional (1D) nanomaterial, a two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial, or mixtures thereof, and wherein the nanomaterial in the layer is aligned towards the current collector tab.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a porous chalcogenide-based electrode including crystalline allotropes within the core, at least one of a glass, polymeric and amorphous chalcogenide present within the transition layer and/or a shell covering the surface of the active electrode material. The electrode includes a transition layer covalently bonded between a 2D material and the chalcogenide of the electrode material, a coating layer on top of the transition layer and including a 2D material, an electrode in which the volume of crystalline allotrope represents a buffer volume that compensates the volumetric fluctuation during battery cycling, and a chalcogenide electrode. The electrode active mass includes a dopant such as selenium and tellurium, wherein the mass content of sulfur in the cathode is above 50% per weight, wherein the coated electrode includes at least one sulfur allotrope that is doped with a chalcogenide, a halogen, or a mixture thereof.