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Graphical abstract Hierarchically ordered carbon tube-sheet superstructure (CTSS) is synthesized via combing template-directed self-assembly of polyimide and the following carbonization. Possessing highly ordered superstructures with rich nitrogen dopant and hierarchical porosity, CTSS manifests remarkable performance as both lithium ion battery anode and the carbon support for water splitting catalysts. Highlights • CTSS is obtained by the template-directed self-assembly of PI and carbonization. • CTSS contains vertically oriented carbon sheet arrays with hollow interiors. • CTSS based LIB anode manifests high capacity and good cycling stability. • Water splitting catalysts with CTSS supports have superb activity and stability. • A CTSS-derived self-powered water splitting device is fabricated in this work. Abstract In this work, we report a template-directed self-assembly strategy towards the gram-level synthesis of hierarchically ordered carbon tube-sheet superstructure (CTSS) by using MoO 3 nanorod as the template and polyimide (PI) as the carbon source. Even in large quantities, MoO 3 nanorods can guide the assembly of PI in solution into vertically oriented nanosheet arrays with periodic patterns, which can be converted to nitrogen-doped porous CTSS after the removal of template and thermal carbonization. Possessing hierarchically ordered architecture, rich porosity and high nitrogen content, CTSS is an appealing material for energy storage and conversion devices such as high-performance lithium ion battery anode and water splitting catalyst support. More importantly, the results in this work highlight an avenue for the controllable synthesis of hierarchically ordered carbon superstructures with diversified functions and applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The anodic lithium storage behavior of 2,9-DMQA is evaluated in this work. • 2,9-DMQA anode can deliver a high capacity of 1150 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1. • The lithium storage mechanism of 2,9-DMQA can be verified with DFT calculation. • The full-cell with 2,9-DMQA anode has high energy density and power density. Organic anode materials are of great importance for the development of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) with less reliance on inorganic minerals. In this work, it is found that 2,9-dimethylquinacridone (2,9-DMQA), an organic pigment, can have excellent electrochemical performances when serving as the anode material in LIBs. 2,9-DMQA based LIB anode manifests a high specific capacity of 1150 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1. Even at a high current density of 5.0 A g−1, the capacity of 2,9-DMQA can still be retained at ~385 mAh g−1, outperforming many recently reported LIB anodes. The results from experiments and calculation suggest that 2,9-DMQA can reversibly associate with ~22Li+, corresponding to a theoretical capacity of 1732 mAh g−1. Additionally, the full-cell with 2,9-DMQA as anode and LiCoO 2 as cathode can deliver the energy and power density of 325.8 Wh kg−1 and 1137.1 W kg−1, respectively, which are better than most of recently reported full-cells, implying the intriguing potential of the 2,9-DMQA anode in organic LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]