Fig. 1: Schematics, DFT calculation results, and morphological structures.

Schematics of a CNTs after ozone treatment, b CNTs modified with ZnO by ALD technology, c Li deposition on CP@ZnO(002), and d ZnO (002) “catalyzing” the uniform spreading of Li metal on CNTs with Li2O and LiZn alloys. e–g Adsorption structures and energies of Li on different crystal planes of ZnO. h–j Top views of Li migration pathways on different surfaces of ZnO and LiZn. k, l Adsorption structures and energies of Li on different crystal planes of LiZn alloy. m A photo of a large–area CP product. n HRTEM and o–r TEM elemental mapping images of a single CNT@ZnO(002) nanowire.