Structural and electrochemical stabilization enabling high‐energy P3‐type Cr‐based layered oxide cathode for K‐ion batteries

Abstract

Layered‐type transition metal (TM) oxides are considered as one of the most promising cathodes for K‐ion batteries because of the large theoretical gravimetric capacity by low molar mass. However, they suffer from severe structural change by de/intercalation and diffusion of K+ ions with large ionic size, which results in not only much lower reversible capacity than the theoretical capacity but also poor power capability. Thus, it is important to enhance the structural stability of the layered‐type TM oxides for outstanding electrochemical behaviors under the K‐ion battery system. Herein, it is investigated that the substitution of the appropriate Ti4+ contents enables a highly enlarged reversible capacity of P3‐type KxCrO2 using combined studies of first‐principles calculation and various experiments. Whereas the pristine P3‐type KxCrO2 just exhibits the reversible capacity of ∼120 mAh g−1 in the voltage range of 1.5–4.0 V (vs. K+/K), the ∼0.61 mol K+ corresponding to ∼150 mAh g−1 can be reversible de/intercalated at the structure of P3‐type K0.71[Cr0.75Ti0.25]O2 under the same conditions. Furthermore, even at the high current density of 788 mA g−1, the specific capacity of P3‐type K0.71[Cr0.75Ti0.25]O2 is ∼120 mAh g−1, which is ∼81 times larger than that of the pristine P3‐type KxCrO2. It is believed that this research can provide an effective strategy to improve the electrochemical performances of the cathode materials suffered by severe structural change that occurred during charge/discharge under not only K‐ion battery system but also other rechargeable battery systems.

Recent advances in rational design for high-performance potassium-ion batteries

“…This section will detail strategies such as interlayer stacking control, energetic ion doping, surface modification/coating, and interlayer space optimization to effectively address the abovementioned issues. 31,46,61,129–133…”

“…39,138 Although the construction of special morphology and the introduction of intercalation water may be an effective means to improve the potassium storage capacity of K x MnO 2 , it does not seem to be helpful to solve the Jahn–Teller distortion problem. 129,139,140 Currently, electrolyte modification, inorganic layer coating, and doping have been proved to be promising means to address this issue. 45–47,141,142 Since it is difficult to distinguish between doping and binary/multiple materials, doping will be introduced in detail in the form of binary/multi-component materials in the following sections.…”