The development and commercialization of alkali ion secondary batteries has played a critical role in the development of personal electronics and electric vehicles. The recent increase in demand for electric vehicles has pushed for lighter batteries with a higher energy density to reduce the weight of the vehicle while with an emphasis on improving the mile range. A resurgence has occurred in lithium, and sodium, metal anode research due to their high theoretical capacities, low densities, and low redox potentials. However, Li and Na metal anodes suffer from major safety issues and long-term cycling stability. This dissertation focuses on the investigation of the interfacial chemistries between alkali metal-carbon host interactions and the electrode-electrolyte interactions of the cathode and anode with boron-based electrolytes to establish design rules for "lean" alkali metal composite anodes and improve long-term stability to enable alkali metal batteries for practical electrochemical applications. Chapter 2 of this thesis focuses on the design and preliminary investigation of "lean" lithium-carbon nanofiber (<5 mAh cm-2) composite anodes in full cell testing using a LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 (NMC 622) cathode. We used the electrodeposition method to synthesize the Li-CNF composite anodes with a range of electrodeposition capacities and current densities and electrolyte formulations. Increasing the electrodeposition capacity improved the cycle life with 3 mAh cm-2 areal capacity and 2% vinylene carbonate (VC) electrolyte additive gave the best cycle life before reaching a state of "rapid cell failure". Increasing the electrodeposition rate reduced cycling stability and had a faster fade in capacity. The electrodeposition of lithium metal into a 2D graphite anode significantly improved cycle life, implying the increased crystallinity of the carbon substrate promotes improved anode stability and cycling capabilities. As the increased crystallinity of the carbon anode was shown to improve the "lean" composite anode's performance, Chapter 3 focuses on utilizing a CNF electrode designed with a higher degree of graphitization and probing the interacting mechanism of Li and Na with the CNF host. Characterization of the CNF properties found the material to be more reminiscent of hard carbon materials. Electrochemical analysis showed better long-term performance for Na-CNF symmetric cells. Kinetic analysis, using cyclic voltammetry (CV), revealed that Na ions successfully (de)intercalated within the CNF crystalline interlayers, while Li ions were limited to surface adsorption. A change in mechanism was quickly observed in the Na-CNF symmetric cycling from metal stripping/plating to ion intercalation/deintercalation, enabling the superior cycling stability of the composite anode. Improving the Na metal stability is necessary for enabling Na-CNF improved long-term performance. Sodium batteries have begun to garner more attention for grid storage applications due to their overall lower cost and less volumetric constraint required. However, sodium cathodes have poor electrode-electrolyte stability, leading to nanocracks in the cathode particles and transition metal dissolution. Chapter 4 focuses on electrolyte engineering with the boron salts sodium difluoro(oxolato)borate (NaDFOB) and sodium tetrafluoroborate (NaBF4) mixed together with sodium hexafluorophosphate (NaPF6) to improve the electrode-electrolyte compatibility and cathode particle stability. The electrolytes containing NaDFOB showed improved electrochemical stability at various temperatures, the formation of a more robust electrode-electrolyte interphase, and suppression in transition metal (TM) reduction and dissolution of the cathode particles measured after cycling. In Chapter 5, we focus on the electrochemical properties and the anode-electrolyte interfacial chemistry properties of the sodium borate salt electrolytes. Similar to Chapter 4, the NaDFOB containing electrolytes have improved electrochemical performance and stability. Following the same electrodeposition parameters as Chapter 2, we find the NaDFOB electrolytes improves the stability of electrodeposited Na metal and the "lean" composite anode's cyclability. This study suggests the great potential for the NaDFOB electrolytes for Na ion battery applications. / Doctor of Philosophy / The ever-increasing demand for high energy storage in personal electronics, electric vehicles, and grid energy storage has driven for research to safely enable alkali metal (Li and Na) anodes for practical energy storage applications. Key research efforts have focused on developing alkali metal composite anodes, as well as improving the electrode-electrolyte interfacial chemistries. A fundamental understanding of the electrode interactions with the electrolyte or host materials is necessary to progress towards safer batteries and better battery material design for long-term applications. Improving the interfacial interactions between the host-guest or electrode-electrolyte interfaces allows for more efficient charge transfer processes to occur, reduces interfacial resistance, and improves overall stability within the battery. As a result, there is great potential in understanding the host-guest and electrode-electrolyte interactions for the design of longer-lasting and safer batteries. This dissertation focuses on probing the interfacial chemistries of the battery materials to enable "lean" alkali metal composite anodes and improve electrode stability through electrolyte interactions. The anode-host interactions are first explored through preliminary design development for "lean" alkali composite anodes using carbon nanofiber (CNF) electrodes. The effect on increasing the crystallinity of the CNF host on the Li- and Na-CNF interactions for enhanced electrochemical performance and stability is then investigated. In an effort to improve the capabilities of Na batteries, the electrode-electrolyte interactions of the cathode- and anode-electrolyte interfacial chemistries using sodium borate salts are probed using electrochemical and X-ray analysis. Overall, this dissertation explores how the interfacial interactions affect, and improve, battery performance and stability. This work provides insights for understanding alkali metal-host and electrode-electrolyte properties and guidance for potential future research of the stabilization for Li- and Na-metal batteries.