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Potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) are a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to the abundance and low cost of the raw materials needed for their production, with target applications including grid-scale renewable energy storage. However, their performance, particularly cycling stability, remains an issue. In this study, we explore the use of the cyclic ethers tetrahydropyran (THP) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) as alternative solvents to the traditional ethylene carbonate/propylene carbonate (EC/PC) system in potassium metal batteries (KMBs). By changing the electrolyte solvent to create more anion-rich solvation structures, the formation of a thinner, more robust cathode-electrolyte interface (CEI) on high-potential Prussian blue analogue (PBA) cathodes is achieved. This results in improved capacity retention (97% for THP, 87% for THF, vs 78% for EC/PC) and higher Coulombic efficiency (94.0% for THP, 96.6% for THF, vs 66.2% for EC/PC) in K metal||PBA cells. Additionally, we find that THF in particular incurs these benefits both with high potential (∼4.3 V vs K/K+) PBA cathodes as well as lower potential (∼3.5 V vs K/K+) organic cathode materials. These findings can help further the design of electrolytes to realize KIBs and KMBs as a sustainable and viable alternative to lithium-based systems for applications at scale.
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This content will become publicly available on May 1, 2027
Revolutionizing Cathode Materials Processing: The Potential of Sustainable All Dry Methods
Abstract In recent decades, cathode materials, significant in both liquid and solid-state lithium-ion and beyond-lithium batteries, are essential for global sustainability due to their unique redox and ionic transport properties. The mass production of cathodes to keep pace with electrochemical energy storage demand has increasingly come under scrutiny. However, the environmental impacts, specifically emissions and waste produced during the synthesis and surface treatment of these materials, have largely been overlooked, even in laboratory settings. This perspective addresses this gap by discussing the importance of adopting entirely dry, waste-free processes for cathode material production. We summarize recent advances in both physical and chemical dry processing techniques and outline potential future research directions in this domain, emphasizing their significance for sustainable battery manufacturing.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2301719
- PAR ID:
- 10662356
- Publisher / Repository:
- The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage
- Volume:
- 23
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 2381-6872
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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