Search

Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanopowder is spin‐coated onto both sides of commercial polypropene separator to create artificial solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) and artificial cathode electrolyte interface (CEI) in potassium metal batteries (KMBs). This significantly enhances the stability, including of KMBs with Prussian Blue (PB) cathodes. For example, symmetric cells are stable after 1,000 cycles at 0.5 mA/cm2–0.5 mAh/cm2 and 3.0 mA/cm2–0.5 mAh/cm2. Alumina modified separators promote electrolyte wetting and increase ionic conductivity (0.59 vs. 0.2 mS/cm) and transference number (0.81 vs. 0.23). Cryo‐stage focused ion beam (cryo‐FIB) analysis of cycled modified anode demonstrates dense and planar electrodeposits, versus unmodified baseline consisting of metal filaments (dendrites) interspersed with pores and SEI. Alumina‐modified CEI also suppresses elemental Fe crossover and reduces cathode cracking. Mesoscale modeling of metal – SEI interactions captures crucial role of intrinsic heterogeneities, illustrating how artificial SEI affects reaction current distribution, conductivity and morphological stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combined synchrotron X‐ray nanotomography imaging, cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo‐EM) and modeling elucidate how potassium (K) metal‐support energetics influence electrodeposit microstructure. Three model supports are employed: O‐functionalized carbon cloth (potassiophilic, fully‐wetted), non‐functionalized cloth and Cu foil (potassiophobic, nonwetted). Nanotomography and focused ion beam (cryo‐FIB) cross‐sections yield complementary three‐dimensional (3D) maps of cycled electrodeposits. Electrodeposit on potassiophobic support is a triphasic sponge, with fibrous dendrites covered by solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and interspersed with nanopores (sub‐10 nm to 100 nm scale). Lage cracks and voids are also a key feature. On potassiophilic support, the deposit is dense and pore‐free, with uniform surface and SEI morphology. Mesoscale modeling captures the critical role of substrate‐metal interaction on K metal film nucleation and growth, as well as the associated stress state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal Dendrite, Potassium Ion Battery, Potassium Metal Battery, Potassium Sulfur Battery Keywords: Metal Dendrite; Potassium Ion Battery; Potassium Metal Battery; Potassium Sulfur Battery EN Metal Dendrite Potassium Ion Battery Potassium Metal Battery Potassium Sulfur Battery 1 1 1 05/29/23 20230605 NES 230605 B Using advanced analytical techniques b based on synchrotron and electron microscopy as described in their Research Article (e202300943), Pengcheng Liu, David Mitlin et al. were able to "see" and understand the growth of body centered cubic potassium metal dendrites, depicted in the cover picture as corals growing underwater and away from normal sight. This is represented by the light rays shining down from above. [Extracted from the article]

Cover Picture: Influence of Potassium Metal-Support Interactions on Dendrite Growth (Angew. Metal Dendrite, Potassium Ion Battery, Potassium Metal Battery, Potassium Sulfur Battery Keywords: Metal Dendrite; Potassium Ion Battery; Potassium Metal Battery; Potassium Sulfur Battery EN Metal Dendrite Potassium Ion Battery Potassium Metal Battery Potassium Sulfur Battery 1 1 1 06/06/23 20230605 NES 230605 B Using advanced analytical techniques b based on synchrotron and electron microscopy as described in their Research Article (e202300943), Pengcheng Liu, David Mitlin et al. were able to "see" and understand the growth of body centered cubic potassium metal dendrites, depicted in the cover picture as corals growing underwater and away from normal sight. [Extracted from the article]