A High‐Energy‐Density Potassium Battery with a Polymer‐Gel Electrolyte and a Polyaniline Cathode |
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Authors: | Dr Hongcai Gao Dr Leigang Xue Dr Sen Xin Prof John B Goodenough |
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Institution: | Texas Materials Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA |
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Abstract: | A safe, rechargeable potassium battery of high energy density and excellent cycling stability has been developed. The anion component of the electrolyte salt is inserted into a polyaniline cathode upon charging and extracted from it during discharging while the K+ ion of the KPF6 salt is plated/stripped on the potassium‐metal anode. The use of a p‐type polymer cathode increases the cell voltage. By replacing the organic‐liquid electrolyte in a glass‐fiber separator with a polymer‐gel electrolyte of cross‐linked poly(methyl methacrylate), a dendrite‐free potassium anode can be plated/stripped, and the electrode/electrolyte interface is stabilized. The potassium anode wets the polymer, and the cross‐linked architecture provides small pores of adjustable sizes to stabilize a solid‐electrolyte interphase formed at the anode/electrolyte interface. This alternative electrolyte/cathode strategy offers a promising new approach to low‐cost potassium batteries for the stationary storage of electric power. |
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Keywords: | cathode materials polyaniline polymer electrolytes potassium batteries potassium metal anodes |
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