High Entropy Induced Local Charge Enhancement Promotes Frank–Van der Merwe Growth for Dendrite‐Free Potassium Metal Batteries
Che‐Bin Chang, Yen‐Yang Tseng, Ying‐Rui Lu, Yi‐Chun Yang, Hsing‐Yu Tuan
Abstract
Abstract Potassium metal batteries (PMBs) are promising for next‐generation energy storage. However, the high reactivity of the anode causes instability in the solid electrolyte interface (SEI), resulting in Volmer‐Weber (V‐W) type deposition. To achieve uniform Frank‐van der Merwe (F‐M) type deposition, high entropy alloy nanoparticles are designed (HEA NPs) with equimolar ratios of Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Ni to enhance the substrate‐K metal interface. HEA NPs enhance the K affinity of the N‐doped nanocarbon fiber substrate (N‐PCNF) and maximize ion and electron transport efficiency. The dendrite‐free horizontal growth of K metal confirmed through Operando X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and optical microscopy (OM). Consequently, the asymmetric cell exhibits ultra‐long cycling stability of 2350 hours at a high current density of 8 mA cm −2 . The full cell composed of molten K diffusion into HEA NPs decorated N‐PCNF anode with perylene‐3,4,9,10‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride cathode (HEA‐N‐PCNF‐K||PTCDA) delivers an energy density of 331 W h kg −1 and remains stable over 2000 cycles. This study offers a promising pathway for innovative PMBs designs with broad application prospects.