KTi2 (PO4 )3 Electrode with a Long Cycling Stability for Potassium-Ion Batteries

Recent advances in rational design for high-performance potassium-ion batteries

The growing global energy demand necessitates the development of renewable energy solutions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. To efficiently utilize renewable yet intermittent energy sources such as solar and wind power, there is a critical need for large-scale energy storage systems (EES) with high electrochemical performance. While lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been successfully used for EES, the surging demand and price, coupled with limited supply of crucial metals like lithium and cobalt, raised concerns about future sustainability. In this context, potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) have emerged as promising alternatives to commercial LIBs. Leveraging the low cost of potassium resources, abundant natural reserves, and the similar chemical properties of lithium and potassium, PIBs exhibit excellent potassium ion transport kinetics in electrolytes. This review starts from the fundamental principles and structural regulation of PIBs, offering a comprehensive overview of their current research status. It covers cathode materials, anode materials, electrolytes, binders, and separators, combining insights from full battery performance, degradation mechanisms, in situ/ex situ characterization, and theoretical calculations. We anticipate that this review will inspire greater interest in the development of high-efficiency PIBs and pave the way for their future commercial applications.

Electrosprayed hierarchical mesoporous Mn0.5Ti2(PO4)3@C microspheres as promising High-Performance anode for Potassium-Ion batteries

NASICON-structured Ti-based polyanion compounds benefit from a stable structural framework, large ion channels, and fast ion mobility. However, the large radius of potassium and its poor electronic conductivity restrict its use in potassium-ion batteries. Herein, hierarchical mesoporous Mn0.5Ti2(PO4)3@C microspheres have been successfully synthesized using a simple electrospraying method. These microspheres consist of Mn0.5Ti2(PO4)3 nanoparticles evenly embedded in three-dimensional mesoporous carbon microspheres. The hierarchical mesoporous micro/nanostructure facilitates the rapid insertion and extraction of K+, while the three-dimensional carbon microspheres matrix enhances electrical conductivity and prevents active materials from collapsing during cycling. So the hierarchical mesoporous Mn0.5Ti2(PO4)3@C microspheres exhibit a high reversible discharge specific capacity (306 mA h g-1 at 20 mA g-1), a notable rate capability (123 mA h g-1 at 5000 mA g-1), and exceptional cycle performance (148 mA h g-1 at 500 mA g-1 after 1000 cycles). The results show that electrosprayed Mn0.5Ti2(PO4)3@C microspheres are a promising anode for PIBs.

Oxygen Defect Engineering toward Zero-Strain V2O2.8@Porous Reticular Carbon for Ultrastable Potassium Storage

Potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) are promising candidates for large-scale energy storage devices due to their high energy density and low cost. However, the large potassium-ion radius leads to its sluggish diffusion kinetics during intercalation into the lattice of the electrode material, resulting in electrode pulverization and poor cycle stability. Herein, vanadium trioxide anodes with different oxygen vacancy concentrations (V2O2.9, V2O2.8, and V2O2.7 determined by the neutron diffraction) are developed for KIBs. The V2O2.8 anode is optimal and exhibits excellent potassium storage performance due to the realization of expanded interlayer spacing and efficient ion/electron transport. In situ X-ray diffraction indicates that V2O2.8 is a zero-strain anode with a volumetric strain of 0.28% during the charge/discharge process. Density functional theory calculations show that the impacts of oxygen defects are embodied in reducing the band gap, increasing electron transfer ability, and lowering the diffusion energy barriers for potassium ions. As a result, the electrode of nanosized V2O2.8 embedded in porous reticular carbon (V2O2.8@PRC) delivers high reversible capacity (362 mAh g-1 at 0.05 A g-1), ultralong cycling stability (98.8% capacity retention after 3000 cycles at 2 A g-1), and superior pouch-type full-cell performance (221 mAh g-1 at 0.05 A g-1). This work presents an oxygen defect engineering strategy for ultrastable KIBs.

NaNbV(PO4)3: Multielectron NASICON-Type Anode Material for Na-Ion Batteries with Excellent Rate Capability

NASICON-type NaNbV(PO₄)₃ electrode material synthesized by the Pechini sol-gel technique undergoes a reversible three-electron reaction in a Na-ion cell which corresponds to the Nb⁵⁺/Nb⁴⁺, Nb⁴⁺/Nb³⁺, and V³⁺/V²⁺ redox processes and provides a reversible capacity of 180 mAh·g^-1. The sodium insertion/extraction takes place in a narrow potential range at an average potential of 1.55 V versus Na⁺/Na. Structural characterization by operando and ex situ X-ray diffraction disclosed the reversible evolution of the NaNbV(PO₄)₃ polyhedron framework during cycling, while XANES measurements in the operando regime confirmed the multielectron transfer upon sodium intercalation/extraction into NaNbV(PO₄)₃. This electrode material demonstrates extended cycling stability and excellent rate capability maintaining the capacity value of 144 mAh·g^-1 at 10 C current rates. It can be regarded as a superior anode material suitable for application in high-power and long-life sodium-ion batteries.

DFT Investigations of KTiOPO4Mx (M = K, Na, Li) Anodes for Alkali-Ion Battery

Properties of KTiOPO4M x (M = K, Na, and Li, x = 0.000 to 1.000) as anodes for potassium-ion battery (PIB), sodium-ion battery (SIB), and lithium-ion battery (LIB) are investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our work reveals that electrochemical performance of KTiOPO4 as an anode for PIB is superior to that for SIB and LIB, in terms of average voltage and ion diffusion kinetics. The ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations indicate that KTiOPO4M x anode exhibits high structural stability, and alkali ion intercalation contributes to accelerate ion diffusion during charging process. Particularly, the low activation energy 0.406 eV of K migration on surface KTP(210) obtained by the climbing-image nudged elastic band (Cl-NEB) method, which suggests a high-rate capability. The systematical comparison of the performance of KTiOPO4 as an anode for PIB, SIB, and LIB on the theoretical perspective clarifies that a large channel is not always promising for small radius ion intercalation and diffusion.

Electrolyte formulation strategies for potassium-based batteries

Potassium (K)-based batteries are viewed as the most promising alternatives to lithium-based batteries, owing to their abundant potassium resource, lower redox potentials (-2.97 V vs. SHE), and low cost. Recently, significant achievements on electrode materials have boosted the development of potassium-based batteries. However, the poor interfacial compatibility between electrode and electrolyte hinders their practical. Hence, rational design of electrolyte/electrode interface by electrolytes is the key to develop K-based batteries. In this review, the principles for formulating organic electrolytes are comprehensively summarized. Then, recent progress of various liquid organic and solid-state K⁺ electrolytes for potassium-ion batteries and beyond are discussed. Finally, we offer the current challenges that need to be addressed for advanced K-based batteries.

A flexible Mn0.5Ti2(PO4)3/C nanofiber film with superior cycling stability for potassium-ion batteries

First-principles calculations indicate that Mn_0.5Ti₂(PO₄)₃ is more suited to potassium-ion storage because of its lower energy gap than that of KTi₂(PO₄)₃. A flexible Mn_0.5Ti₂(PO₄)₃/C nanofiber film (F-MTP/C NFF) has been first synthesized via electrospinning and applied to potassium-ion batteries as a self-standing anode. An integral carbon conductive network, unique one-dimensional nanostructure, and exceptional mechanical flexibility give F-MTP/C NFF outstanding potassium-ion storage performance. Impressively, the self-standing F-MTP/C NFF electrode delivers a high specific capacity of 218 mA h g^-1 at 0.02 A g^-1 and shows ultra-long cycling stability of 2000 cycles at 1 A g^-1. This work may give a new insight into developing NASICON-type Ti-based materials as flexible electrodes for potassium-ion batteries.

Challenges and Strategies toward Cathode Materials for Rechargeable Potassium-Ion Batteries

With increasing demand for grid-scale energy storage, potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) have emerged as promising complements or alternatives to commercial lithium-ion batteries owing to the low cost, natural abundance of potassium resources, the low standard reduction potential of potassium, and fascinating K⁺ transport kinetics in the electrolyte. However, the low energy density and unstable cycle life of cathode materials hamper their practical application. Therefore, cathode materials with high capacities, high redox potentials, and good structural stability are required with the advancement toward next-generation PIBs. To this end, understanding the structure-dependent intercalation electrochemistry and recognizing the existing issues relating to cathode materials are indispensable prerequisites. This review summarizes the recent advances of PIB cathode materials, including metal hexacyanometalates, layered metal oxides, polyanionic frameworks, and organic compounds, with an emphasis on the structural advantages of the K⁺ intercalation reaction. Moreover, major current challenges with corresponding strategies for each category of cathode materials are highlighted. Finally, future research directions and perspectives are presented to accelerate the development of PIBs and facilitate commercial applications. It is believed that this review will provide practical guidance for researchers engaged in developing next-generation advanced PIB cathode materials.

Emerging of Heterostructure Materials in Energy Storage: A Review

With the ever-increasing adaption of large-scale energy storage systems and electric devices, the energy storage capability of batteries and supercapacitors has faced increased demand and challenges. The electrodes of these devices have experienced radical change with the introduction of nano-scale materials. As new generation materials, heterostructure materials have attracted increasing attention due to their unique interfaces, robust architectures, and synergistic effects, and thus, the ability to enhance the energy/power outputs as well as the lifespan of batteries. In this review, the recent progress in heterostructure from energy storage fields is summarized. Specifically, the fundamental natures of heterostructures, including charge redistribution, built-in electric field, and associated energy storage mechanisms, are summarized and discussed in detail. Furthermore, various synthesis routes for heterostructures in energy storage fields are roundly reviewed, and their advantages and drawbacks are analyzed. The superiorities and current achievements of heterostructure materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), lithium-sulfur batteries (Li-S batteries), supercapacitors, and other energy storage devices are discussed. Finally, the authors conclude with the current challenges and perspectives of the heterostructure materials for the fields of energy storage.

Molecular Regulation on Carbonyl-Based Organic Cathodes: Toward High-Rate and Long-Lifespan Potassium-Organic Batteries

Organic redox-active molecules have been identified as promising cathodes for practical usage of potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) but still struggle with serious dissolution problems and sluggish kinetic properties. Herein, we propose a pseudocapacitance-dominated novel insoluble carbonyl-based cathode, [2,6-di[1-(perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxydiimide)]anthraquinone, AQ-diPTCDI], which possesses high reversible capacities of 150 mAh g^-1, excellent cycle stability with capacity retention of 88% over 2000 cycles, and fast kinetic properties. The strong intermolecular interactions of AQ-diPTCDI and in situ formed cathode electrolyte interphase films support it against the dissolution problem. The high capacitive-like contribution in capacities and fast potassium-ion diffusion enhance its reaction kinetics. Moreover, a symmetric organic potassium-ion battery (OPIB) based on AQ-diPTCDI electrodes also exhibits outstanding K-storage capability. These results suggest that AQ-diPTCDI is a promising organic cathode for OPIBs and provide a practicable route to realize high-performance K storage.

Red phosphorus embedded in TiO2/C nanofibers to enhance the potassium-ion storage performance

TiO₂-red phosphorus/C nanofibers (TiO₂-RP/CN) have been synthesized via electrospinning and then annealed with red phosphorus sublimation. Benefiting from the high electronic/ionic conductivity and robust stability of the unique structure, the TiO₂-RP/CN show high reversible capacities, as well as an outstanding cycling ability. In K half cells, the capacity decay of the TiO₂-RP/CN electrode mainly occurs in the first few cycles, and at 0.05 A g^-1 it delivers a high specific capacity of 257.8 mA h g^-1 after 500 cycles. K full cells were fabricated; these are well-matched with PTCDA (perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride) and also exhibited a good electrochemical performance (62 mA h g^-1 after 100 cycles). Therefore, the TiO₂-RP/CN are potential anode materials for use in K-ion batteries.