Introduction of a nitrate anion with solubility mediator in a carbonate-based electrolyte for a stable potassium metal anode

Abstract

In this study, sodium nitrate (NaNO3) dissolves in a carbonate electrolyte for K-metal batteries (KMBs) using a dimethylacetamide (DMA) solvent with a higher Gutmann donor number than that of NO3−. The K-metal anode in 0.02 M NaNO3 electrolyte exhibits enhanced stability due to the modified solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer resulting from the preferential reduction of NaNO3. Reduced NaNO3 forms ionically conductive and mechanically robust compounds in the SEI layer. This compound plays a critical role in altering the morphology of electrodeposited K-metal from dendritic to spherical, reducing the barrier energy of nucleation potential for K-ions. These unique features make K-metal highly resistant to dendrite formation and aggressive electrolyte chemistry. Therefore, the K-metal anode in the proposed electrolyte containing 0.02 M NaNO3 additive ensures excellent cycle life with stable Coulombic efficiency in both symmetrical K/K half cells and full-cells coupled with a Prussian green FeFe(CN)6 cathode.