Advanced flame-retardant electrolyte for highly stabilized K-ion storage in graphite anode

Sci Bull (Beijing). 2022 Aug 15;67(15):1581-1588. doi: 10.1016/j.scib.2022.07.002. Epub 2022 Jul 4.

Abstract

Although graphite anodes operated with representative de/intercalation patterns at low potentials are considered highly desirable for K-ion batteries, the severe capacity fading caused by consecutive reduction reactions on the aggressively reactive surface is inevitable given the scarcity of effective protecting layers. Herein, by introducing a flame-retardant localized high-concentration electrolyte with retentive solvation configuration and relatively weakened anion-coordination and non-solvating fluorinated ether, the rational solid electrolyte interphase characterized by well-balanced inorganic/organic components is tailored in situ. This effectively prevented solvents from excessively decomposing and simultaneously improved the resistance against K-ion transport. Consequently, the graphite anode retained a prolonged cycling capability of up to 1400cycles (245 mA h g-1, remaining above 12mon) with an excellent capacity retention of as high as 92.4%. This is superior to those of conventional and high-concentration electrolytes. Thus, the optimized electrolyte with moderate salt concentration is perfectly compatible with graphite, providing a potential application prospect for K-storage evolution.

Keywords: Graphite anode; Interphase modification; K-ion batteries; Localized high-concentration electrolyte.