Anion-Reinforced Solvation Structure Enables Stable Operation of Ether-Based Electrolyte in High-Voltage Potassium Metal Batteries.

Abstract

Electrolytes with anion-dominated solvation are promising candidates to achieve dendrite-free and high-voltage potassium metal batteries. However, it's challenging to form anion-reinforced solvates at low salt concentrations. Herein, we construct an anion-reinforced solvation structure at a moderate concentration of 1.5 M with weakly coordinated cosolvent ethylene glycol dibutyl ether. The unique solvation structure accelerates the desolvation of K+, strengthens the oxidative stability to 4.94 V and facilitates the formation of inorganic-rich and stable electrode-electrolyte interface. These enable stable plating/stripping of K metal anode over 2200 h, high capacity retention of 83.0% after 150 cycles with a high cut-off voltage of 4.5 V in K0.67MnO2//K cells, and even 91.5% after 30 cycles under 4.7 V. This work provides insight into weakly coordinated cosolvent and opens new avenues for designing ether-based high-voltage electrolytes.