Rechargeable K-Se batteries based on metal-organic-frameworks-derived porous carbon matrix confined selenium as cathode materials

Toward Theoretical Capacity and Superhigh Power Density for Potassium-Selenium Batteries via Facilitating Reversible Potassiation Kinetics

Potassium-selenium (K-Se) batteries attract tremendous attention because of the two-electron transfer of the selenium cathode. Nonetheless, practical K-Se cells normally display selenium underutilization and unsatisfactory rate capability. Herein, we employ a synergistic spatial confinement and architecture engineering strategy to establish selenium cathodes for probing the effect of K⁺ diffusion kinetics on K-Se battery performance and improving the charge transfer efficiency at ultrahigh rates. By impregnating selenium into hollow and solid carbon spheres with similar diameters and porous structures, the obtained parallel Se/C composites possess nearly identical selenium loadings, molecular structures, and heterogeneous interfaces but enormously different paths for K⁺ diffusion. Remarkably, as the solid-state K⁺ diffusion distance is significantly reduced, the K-Se cell achieves 96% of 2e^- transfer capacity (647.1 mA h g^-1). Reversible capacities of 283.5 and 224.1 mA h g^-1 are obtained at 7.5 and 15C, respectively, corresponding to an unprecedented high power density of 8777.8 W kg^-1. Quantitative kinetic analysis demonstrated a twofold higher capacitive charge storage contribution and a 1 order of magnitude higher K⁺ diffusion coefficient due to the short K⁺ diffusion path. By combining the determination of potassiation products by ex situ characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, it is identified that the kinetic factor is decisive for K-Se battery performances.

Metal-based electrocatalysts for room-temperature Na-S batteries

Room-temperature sodium-sulfur (RT Na-S) batteries have recently captured intensive research attention from the community and are regarded as one of promising next-generation energy storage devices since they not only integrate the advantages in high abundance and low commercial cost of elemental Na/S but also exhibit exceptionally high theoretical capacity and energy density. Whereas, the notorious shuttle effect of soluble intermediates and sluggish kinetics remain two main obstacles for RT Na-S batteries to step into new developmental stage. Recently, impressive advancements of metal-based electrocatalysts have offered a viable solution to stabilize S cathodes and unlocked new opportunities for RT Na-S batteries. Here, we underline the recent progress on metal-based electrocatalysts for RT Na-S batteries for the first time by shedding light on this emerging but promising field. The involved metal-based electrocatalysts include metals, metal oxides, metal sulfides, metal carbides, and other metal-based catalytic species. Our emphasis is focused on the discussion of design, fabrication, and properties of these electrocatalysts as well as interactions between electrocatalysts and sodium polysulfides. Otherwise, some potential electrocatalysts for RT Na-S batteries are pointed out as well. At last, perspectives for the future development of RT Na-S batteries with S cathode electrocatalysts are offered.

An Emerging Energy Storage System: Advanced Na-Se Batteries

Sodium-selenium (Na-Se) batteries have aroused enormous attention due to the large abundance of the element sodium as well as the high electronic conductivity and volumetric capacity of selenium. In this battery system, some primary advances in electrode materials have been achieved, mainly involving the design of Se-based cathode materials. In this Review, the electrochemical mechanism is discussed, thus revealing the main challenges in Na-Se batteries. Then, the advances in the design of Se-based cathode materials for Na-ion storage are systemically summarized, classified, and discussed, including Se/carbon composite, Se/polar material/carbon composites, and hybrid Se_xS_y alloys. Some potential strategies enabling the improvement of crucial challenges and enhancement of electrochemical performance are also proposed to provide guidelines for the enhancements of Na-ion storage. An outlook for future valuable research directions is proposed to understand more deeply the electrochemical mechanism of Na-Se batteries and promote their further developments in full cell performance and commercialization.

Advanced High-Performance Potassium-Chalcogen (S, Se, Te) Batteries

Current great progress on potassium-chalcogen (S, Se, Te) batteries within much potential to become promising energy storage systems opens a new avenue for the rapid development of potassium batteries as a complementary option to lithium ion batteries. The discussion mainly concentrates on recent research advances of potassium-chalcogen (S, Se, Te) batteries and their corresponding cathode materials in this review. Initially, the development of cathode materials for four types of batteries is introduced, including: potassium-sulfur (K-S), potassium-selenium (K-Se), potassium-selenium sulfide (K-Se_x S_y ), and potassium-tellurium (K-Te) batteries. Next, critical challenges for chalcogen-based electrodes in devices operation are summarized. In addition, some pragmatic strategies are proposed as well to relieve the low electronic conductivity, large volumetric expansion, shuttle effect, and potassium dendrite growth. At last, the perspectives on designing advanced cathode materials for potassium-chalcogen batteries are provided with the goal of developing high-performance potassium storage devices.

Unraveling the Nature of Excellent Potassium Storage in Small-Molecule Se@Peapod-Like N-Doped Carbon Nanofibers

The potassium-selenium (K-Se) battery is considered as an alternative solution for stationary energy storage because of abundant resource of K. However, the detailed mechanism of the energy storage process is yet to be unraveled. Herein, the findings in probing the working mechanism of the K-ion storage in Se cathode are reported using both experimental and computational approaches. A flexible K-Se battery is prepared by employing the small-molecule Se embedded in freestanding N -doped porous carbon nanofibers thin film (Se@NPCFs) as cathode. The reaction mechanisms are elucidated by identifying the existence of short-chain molecular Se encapsulated inside the microporous host, which transforms to K₂ Se by a two-step conversion reaction via an "all-solid-state" electrochemical process in the carbonate electrolyte system. Through the whole reaction, the generation of polyselenides (K₂ Se_n , 3 ≤ n ≤ 8) is effectively suppressed by electrochemical reaction dominated by Se₂ molecules, thus significantly enhancing the utilization of Se and effecting the voltage platform of the K-Se battery. This work offers a practical pathway to optimize the K-Se battery performance through structure engineering and manipulation of selenium chemistry for the formation of selective species and reveal its internal reaction mechanism in the carbonate electrolyte.

Recent Developments and Future Challenges in Designing Rechargeable Potassium-Sulfur and Potassium-Selenium Batteries

The use of chalcogenide elements, such as sulfur (S) and selenium (Se), as cathode materials in rechargeable lithium (Li) and sodium (Na) batteries has been extensively investigated. Similar to Li and Na systems, rechargeable potassium–sulfur (K–S) and potassium–selenium (K–Se) batteries have recently attracted substantial interest because of the abundance of K and low associated costs. However, K–S and K–Se battery technologies are in their infancy because K possesses overactive chemical properties compared to Li and Na and the electrochemical mechanisms of such batteries are not fully understood. This paper summarizes current research trends and challenges with regard to K–S and K–Se batteries and reviews the associated fundamental science, key technological developments, and scientific challenges to evaluate the potential use of these batteries and finally determine effective pathways for their practical development.

Review of Emerging Potassium-Sulfur Batteries

This is the first review on potassium-sulfur (K-S) batteries (KSBs), which are emerging metal battery (MB) systems. Since KSBs are quite new, there are fundamental questions regarding the electrochemistry of S-based cathode and of K metal anode, as well as the holistic aspects of full-cell performance. The manuscript begins with a critical discussion regarding the potassium-sulfur electrochemistry and on how it differs from the much better-known lithium-sulfur. Cathodes are discussed next, focusing on the role of sulfur structure, carbon host chemistry and porosity, and electrolytes in establishing the reversible potassium sulfide K₂ S_n phase sequence, the parasitic polysulfide shuttle, pulverization-driven capacity fade, etc. Following is a discussion of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs), including of hybrid solid-liquid systems that show much promise. Potassium metal anodes are then critically reviewed, emphasizing electrolyte reactions to form stable versus unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), covering the current understanding of potassium dendrites, and highlighting the deep-eutectic K-Na alloying approaches for room temperature liquid anodes. The manuscript concludes with K-S batteries, focusing on cell architectures and providing quantitative performance comparisons as master plots. Unanswered scientific/technological questions are identified, emerging research opportunities are discussed, and potential experimental and simulation-based studies that can unravel these unknowns are proposed.

Approaching the voltage and energy density limits of potassium-selenium battery chemistry in a concentrated ether-based electrolyte

Potassium–selenium (K–Se) batteries offer fairly high theoretical voltage (∼1.88 V) and energy density (∼1275 W h kg_Se⁻¹). However, in practice, their operation voltage is so far limited to ∼1.4 V, resulting in insufficient energy utilization and mechanistic understanding. Here, it is demonstrated for the first time that K–Se batteries operating in concentrated ether-based electrolytes follow distinctive reaction pathways involving reversible stepwise conversion reactions from Se to K₂Se_x (x = 5, 3, 2, 1). The presence of redox intermediates K₂Se₅ at ∼2.3 V and K₂Se₃ at ∼2.1 V, in contrast with previous reports, enables record-high average discharge plateau voltage (1.85 V) and energy density (998 W h kg_Se⁻¹ or 502 W h kg_K2Se⁻¹), both approaching the theoretical limits and surpassing those of previously reported Na/K/Al–Se batteries. Moreover, experimental analysis and first-principles calculations reveal that the effective suppression of detrimental polyselenide dissolution/shuttling in concentrated electrolytes, together with high electron conductibility of Se/K₂Se_x, enables fast reaction kinetics, efficient utilization of Se, and long-term cyclability of up to 350 cycles, which are impracticable in either K–S counterparts or K–Se batteries with low/moderate-concentration electrolytes. This work may pave the way for mechanistic understanding and full energy utilization of K–Se battery chemistry.

K–Se batteries follow distinctive reaction pathways in concentrated ether electrolytes, and deliver record-high discharge plateau voltage of 1.85 V on average and energy density of 998 W h kg_Se⁻¹, both approaching the theoretical limits.

A highly-effective nitrogen-doped porous carbon sponge electrode for advanced K–Se batteries

A rechargeable K–Se battery is emerging as an energy storage system because of its much higher specific capacity than that of the traditional alkali metal-ion batteries, but is facing some critical issues and challenges.

Iodine encapsulated in mesoporous carbon enabling high-efficiency capacitive potassium-Ion storage

The development of potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) are hampered by the lack of appropriate electrode materials allowing for the reversible insertion/de-insertion of the large K-ion. Iodine, as a conversion-type cathode for rechargeable batteries, has high theoretical capacity and excellent electrochemical reversibility, making it a potential cathode material for KIBs. However, due to the defects of iodine with the poor electronic conductivity and easy dissolution in the electrolyte, an intensive quest for iodine-based KIBs enabling high-performance potassium-ion storage is still underway. In this work, a high-efficiency capacitive K-I₂ battery has been successfully achieved by constructing a nanocomposite of iodine encapsulated in mesoporous carbon (CMK-3). The as-prepared CMK-3/iodine nanocomposite exhibites excellent rate performance (89.3 mA h g^-1 at 0.5 A g^-1) and superior cycling stability, which remarkably exceeds most of reported KIBs cathode materials. Such a excellent electrochemical performance can be ascribed to the engineered structure of CMK-3/iodine hybridized electrode which can alleviate the impact of the shuttle phenomenon, improve electronic conductivity and facilitate ion diffusion. As a consequence, iodine within the conductive protecting CMK-3 can afford an extraordinary pseudo-capacitive potassium-ion storage, which sheds light on the development prospect of conversion-type electrode materials to meet urgent demand for advanced KIBs.

A Se-hollow porous carbon composite for high-performance rechargeable K–Se batteries

In this study, a novel hollow carbon matrix was designed and prepared using a facile NaCl crystal template for the effective encapsulation of Se.