Graphene/Alkali Metal Composite Anode, Alkali Metal Battery, and Production Method

Provided is an anode, an alkali metal battery comprising such an anode, and a production process; the anode comprising: (a) an anode current collector; (b) an anode active material layer comprising (i) multiple vertically oriented graphene sheets that are substantially perpendicular to the anode current collector, wherein the graphene sheets are inclined relative to the current collector at an angle approximately from 45 to 90 degrees and there are interstitial spaces or pores between graphene sheets; and (ii) an alkali metal, selected from lithium, sodium, potassium, or a combination thereof, wherein the alkali metal resides in the interstitial spaces or pores; and (c) a first binder that bonds the anode active layer or the graphene sheets to the anode current collector.