Figure 2. Morphology selection principles for fast electrodeposition (exceeding diffusion limitation) in charged, porous media with ordered pores (e.g. anodic aluminum oxide, AAO, from our previous work⁴²) versus random pores (e.g. cellulose nitrate, CN, from this work).

In parallel nanopores, (a) positive surface charge suppresses metal penetration or allows thin dendrites avoiding the pore walls, while (b) negative charge promotes non-uniform surface coverage leading to metal nanotubes of different lengths growing behind deionization shock waves (dashed lines). In well-connected, random nanopores, (c) positive surface charge blocks penetration or allows low-density porous dendrites, while (d) negative charge leads to a flat metal-matrix composite film, stabilized by a macroscopic shock wave propagating ahead of the growth.