Herein, we propose a versatile “functional modular assembly” strategy for customizing MOFs that allows installing the desired functional unit into a host material. The functional unit could be switched according to different applications. MOF-808, a highly stable Zr-MOF containing dangling formate groups, was selected as a host material for demonstration. Functional molecules with carboxyl connectors can be directly inserted into MOF-808 to form functional modular MOFs (FM-MOFs) through single substitution, while for those without carboxyl connectors, a pre-designed convertor was grafted firstly followed by the functional molecules in a stepwise manner. A series of tailor-made FM-MOFs were generated and show excellent performance toward different applications, such as adsorption, catalysis, fluorescent sensing, electrochemistry, and the control of surface wettability. On the other hand, the functional units on the FM-MOFs can switch freely and completely via full interconversion, as well as partly to construct multivariate MOFs (MTV-MOFs). Therefore, this strategy provides a benchmark for rapid customization of functional MOFs for diverse applications that can realize the rapid modular design of materials.

Sodium metal batteries (SMBs), benefiting from their low cost and high energy densities, have drawn considerable interest as large-scale energy storage devices. However, uncontrollable dendritic formation of sodium metal anodes (SMAs) caused by inhomogeneous deposition of Na⁺ severely decreases the Coulombic efficiency, leads to short cycling life, and poses potential safety hazards, dragging SMBs out of practical applications. Electrolytes are attracting massive attention for not only providing ion transport channels but also exhibiting vital effects on interfacial compatibility and dendrite growth. In fact, the as-formed solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) has a great influence on the deposition and stripping process of SMAs. Moreover, Na plating process is accompanied by the generation of SEI, in which the electrolyte plays a vital role. Nevertheless, until now, the interaction among electrolyte-SEI-sodium dendrite has rarely been summarized. Herein, a fundamental understanding of sodium dendrite is concluded and the influence of the electrolyte and interface on Na⁺ deposition is emphasized. Furthermore, the outlook for constructing dendrite-inhibited SMAs is suggested.