A high-capacity cathode for rechargeable K-metal battery based on reversible superoxide-peroxide conversion

Abstract

As a promising low-cost energy storage device, the development of a rechargeable potassium-ion battery (KIB) is severely hindered by the limited capacity of cathode candidates. Regarded as an attractive capacity-boosting strategy, triggering the O-related anionic redox activity has not been achieved within a sealed KIB system. Herein, in contrast to the typical gaseous open K-O2 battery (O2/KO2 redox), we originally realize the reversible superoxide/peroxide (KO2/K2O2) interconversion on a KO2-based cathode. Controlled within a sealed cell environment, the irreversible O2 evolution and electrolyte decomposition (induced by superoxide anion (O2−) formation) are effectively restrained. Rationally controlling the reversible depth-of-charge at 300 mAh/g (based on the mass of KO2), no obvious cell degradation can be observed during 900 cycles. Moreover, benefitting from electrolyte modification, the KO2-based cathode is coupled with a limited amount of K-metal anode (merely 2.5 times excess), harvesting a K-metal full-cell with high energy efficiency (∼90%) and long-term cycling stability (over 300 cycles).