COATED THREE-DIMENSIONAL ELECTRONICALLY CONDUCTIVE NETWORK

A coated three-dimensional electronically conductive network for acting as an electrode in a metal or metal-ion battery is provided, wherein the metal may include one or more of Na, K, Li, Ca, Mg, and Al. The network can be a three-dimensional electronically conductive network that includes a plurality of interconnected electronically conductive wires. Such a network can have a porosity of at least 60% and a volumetric surface area of from 10m/cmto 100 m/cm. The network can additionally include an electronically insulating coating that conformally covers all surfaces of the network and that is permeable and/or conductive to ions of the metal at at least one temperature in the range of from −30° C. to 150° C.