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Updated: Jan 11, 2026
11:20
Making, Testing, and Using Potassium Ion Selective Microelectrodes in Tissue Slices of Adult Brain
Published on: May 7, 2018
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Regulating Interfacial Ion and Electron Transport for Dendrite-Free Potassium Metal Anodes
Lu-Kang Zhao1, Xuan-Chen Wang1, Yu-Hua Bian1
1Institute for Energy Electrochemistry and Urban Mines Metallurgy, School of Metallurgy, Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110819, China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|November 14, 2025
Summary
This study developed a stable potassium metal anode (K-Cu@OC) by integrating copper nanoparticles and oxygen-doped carbon. This innovation suppresses dendrite growth, enhancing potassium metal battery performance and longevity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Potassium metal batteries (PMBs) are promising energy storage devices.
- Interfacial instability and potassium dendrite growth hinder PMB performance and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a stable potassium metal anode.
- To improve the interfacial properties of potassium metal anodes for high-performance PMBs.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an integrated potassium metal anode (K-Cu@OC) using cold-rolling.
- Incorporation of a copper nanoparticle-embedded oxygen-doped carbon composite.
- Experimental and theoretical analyses of interfacial behavior.
Main Results:
- The K-Cu@OC anode demonstrated suppressed dendritic growth and enhanced interfacial stability.
- Oxygen functional groups improved K+ transport kinetics and nucleation.
- The Cu/OC heterointerface facilitated directional electron transfer and uniform K+ deposition.
- Symmetric cells achieved over 2800 hours of stable cycling.
- Full cells maintained 93.4 mAh g-2 over 600 cycles with minimal voltage hysteresis.
Conclusions:
- Interfacial chemical and electronic engineering is crucial for stabilizing potassium metal anodes.
- The developed K-Cu@OC anode offers a scalable and practical strategy for high-performance PMBs.
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