Building K-C Anode with Ultrahigh Self-Diffusion Coefficient for Solid State Potassium Metal Batteries Operating at -20 to 120 °C.

Abstract

Solid state potassium (K) metal batteries are intriguing in grid-scale energy storage, benefiting from the low cost, safety, and high energy density. However, their practical applications are impeded by poor K/solid electrolyte (SE) interfacial contact and limited capacity caused by the low K self-diffusion coefficient, dendrite growth, and intrinsically low melting point/soft features of metallic K. Herein, a fused-modeling strategy using potassiophilic carbon allotropes molted with K is demonstrated that can enhance the electrochemical performance/stability of the system via promoting K diffusion kinetics (2.37 × 10^-8 cm² s^-1 ), creating a low interfacial resistance (≈1.3 Ω cm² ), suppressing dendrite growth, and maintaining mechanical/thermal stability at 200 °C. A homogeneous/stable K stripping/plating is consequently implemented with a high current density of 2.8 mA cm^-2 (at 25 °C) and a record-high areal capacity of 11.86 mAh cm^-2 (at 0.2 mA cm^-2 ). The enhanced K diffusion kinetics contribute to sustaining intimate interfacial contact, stabilizing the stripping/plating at high current densities. Full cells coupling ultrathin K-C composite anodes (≈50 µm) with Prussian blue cathodes and β/β″-Al₂ O₃ SEs deliver a high energy density of 389 Wh kg^-1 with a retention of 94.4% after 150 cycles and fantastic performances at -20 to 120 °C.