Unveiling Intrinsic Potassium Storage Behaviors of Hierarchical Nano Bi@N-Doped Carbon Nanocages Framework via In Situ Characterizations

Metallic bismuth has drawn attention as a promising alloying anode for advanced potassium ion batteries (PIBs). However, serious volume expansion/electrode pulverization and sluggish kinetics always lead to its inferior cycling and rate properties for practical applications. Therefore, advanced Bi-based anodes via structural/compositional optimization and sur-/interface design are needed. Herein, we develop a bottom-up avenue to fabricate nanoscale Bi encapsulated in a 3D N-doped carbon nanocages (Bi@N-CNCs) framework with a void space by using a novel Bi-based metal-organic framework as the precursor. With elaborate regulation in annealing temperatures, the optimized Bi@N-CNCs electrode exhibits large reversible capacities and long-duration cyclic stability at high rates when evaluated as competitive anodes for PIBs. Insights into the intrinsic K+-storage processes of the Bi@N-CNCs anode are put forward from comprehensive in situ characterizations.

Automated summary

The study developed an optimized Bi@N-CNCs electrode that showed great reversible capacities and long-term cyclic stability at high rates, providing new possibilities for anode materials in potassium ion batteries.