The article presents a chemical strategy to improve the wettability of molten lithium, a key challenge for its use as an anode in high-energy-density (HED) rechargeable batteries. The researchers developed a method to react molten lithium with functional organic coatings or elemental additives, which enhances the lithium's spreading ability on lithiophobic substrates. Key parameters such as Gibbs formation energy and newly formed chemical bonds are identified as governing factors for improved wettability. This approach allows for the successful preparation of ultrathin lithium layers (10-20 μm thick) with impressive electrochemical performance in lithium metal batteries. The findings provide a general guide for tuning the wettability of molten lithium and offer an affordable strategy for large-scale production of ultrathin lithium, with potential extensions to other alkali metals like sodium and potassium. The study highlights the importance of surface modification and the formation of new chemical bonds in improving the performance of lithium metal anodes.The article presents a chemical strategy to improve the wettability of molten lithium, a key challenge for its use as an anode in high-energy-density (HED) rechargeable batteries. The researchers developed a method to react molten lithium with functional organic coatings or elemental additives, which enhances the lithium's spreading ability on lithiophobic substrates. Key parameters such as Gibbs formation energy and newly formed chemical bonds are identified as governing factors for improved wettability. This approach allows for the successful preparation of ultrathin lithium layers (10-20 μm thick) with impressive electrochemical performance in lithium metal batteries. The findings provide a general guide for tuning the wettability of molten lithium and offer an affordable strategy for large-scale production of ultrathin lithium, with potential extensions to other alkali metals like sodium and potassium. The study highlights the importance of surface modification and the formation of new chemical bonds in improving the performance of lithium metal anodes.