Disclosed is an ionophilic template comprising a microscopic array having a formula of Ma(SbxTeyVacz), wherein an M comprises one or more of Na, Li, K, Mg, Ca, Al, Zn, or alloys thereof; a Vac refers to vacancies present in a lattice of the microscopic array; wherein 0≤a≤100, 0≤x≤1; 0≤y≤1; and 0≤z≤1, wherein the microscopic array is dispersed within a metal comprising the M, and wherein the ionophilic template is a support material for a metal anode. Also disclosed are electrochemical cells comprising such templates and methods of making and using the same.