Highly Crystalline Prussian Blue for Kinetics Enhanced Potassium Storage

Prussian blue analogs (PBAs) are promising cathode materials for potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) owing to their large open framework structure. As the K+ migration rate and storage sites rely highly on the periodic lattice arrangement, it is rather important to guarantee the high crystallinity of PBAs. Herein, highly crystalline K2Fe[Fe(CN)(6)] (KFeHCF-E) is synthesized by coprecipitation, adopting the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid dipotassium salt as a chelating agent. As a result, an excellent rate capability and ultra-long lifespan (5000 cycles at 100 mA g(-1) with 61.3% capacity maintenance) are achieved when tested in KIBs. The highest K+ migration rate of 10(-9) cm(2) s(-1) in the bulk phase is determined by the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique. Remarkably, the robust lattice structure and reversible solid-phase K+ storage mechanism of KFeHCF-E are proved by in situ XRD. This work offers a simple crystallinity optimization method for developing high-performance PBAs cathode materials in advanced KIBs.

Automated summary

In this study, highly crystalline K2Fe[Fe(CN)(6)] (KFeHCF-E) as a cathode material for potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) is synthesized by coprecipitation. The KFeHCF-E exhibits excellent rate capability and ultra-long lifespan in KIBs testing, with 61.3% capacity maintenance after 5000 cycles at 100 mA g(-1). The highest K+ migration rate is determined to be 10(-9) cm(2) s(-1) in the bulk phase. The robust lattice structure and reversible solid-phase K+ storage mechanism of KFeHCF-E are verified by in situ XRD. This work provides a simple crystallinity optimization method for developing high-performance cathode materials for advanced KIBs.