Nanosheets-Assembled CuSe Crystal Pillar as a Stable and High-Power Anode for Sodium-Ion and Potassium-Ion Batteries

Thanks to low costs and the abundance of the resources, sodium-ion (SIBs) and potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) have emerged as leading candidates for next-generation energy storage devices. So far, only few materials can serve as the host for both Na+ and K+ ions. Herein, a cubic phase CuSe with crystal-pillar-like morphology (CPL-CuSe) assembled by the nanosheets are synthesized and its dual functionality in SIBs and PIBs is comprehensively studied. The electrochemical measurements demonstrate that CPL-CuSe enables fast Na+ and K+ storage as well as the sufficiently long duration. Specifically, the anode delivers a specific capacity of 295 mA h g(-1) at current density of 10 A g(-1) in SIBs, while 280 mA h g(-1) at 5 A g(-1) in PIBs, as well as the high capacity retention of nearly 100% over 1200 cycles and 340 cycles, respectively. Remarkably, CPL-CuSe exhibits a high initial coulombic efficiency of 91.0% (SIBs) and 92.4% (PIBs), superior to most existing selenide anodes. A combination of in situ X-ray diffraction and ex situ transmission electron microscopy tests fundamentally reveal the structural transition and phase evolution of CuSe, which shows a reversible conversion reaction for both cells, while the intermediate products are different due to the sluggish K+ insertion reaction.