Blowing Iron Chalcogenides into Two-Dimensional Flaky Hybrids with Superior Cyclability and Rate Capability for Potassium-Ion Batteries

Chalcogenide-based anodes are receiving increasing attention for rechargeable potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) due to their high theoretical capacities. However, they usually exhibit poor electrochemical performance due to poor structural stability, low conductivity, and severe electrolyte decomposition on the reactive surface. Herein, a method analogous to "blowing bubbles with gum" is used to confine FeS₂ and FeSe₂ in N-doped carbon for PIB anodes with ultrahigh cyclic stability and enhanced rate capability (over 5000 cycles at 2 A g^-1). Several theoretical and experimental methods are employed to understand the electrodes' performance. The density functional theory calculations showed high affinity for potassium adsorption on the FeS₂ and FeSe₂. The in situ XRD and ex situ TEM analysis confirmed the formation of several intermediate phases of the general formula K_xFeS₂. These phases have high conductivity and large interlayer distance, which promote reversible potassium insertion and facilitate the charge transfer. Also, the calculated potassium diffusion coefficient during charge/discharge further proves the enhanced kinetics. Furthermore, The FeS₂@NC anode in a full cell also exhibits high cyclic stability (88% capacity retention after 120 cycles with 99.9% Coulombic efficiency). Therefore, this work provides not only an approach to overcome several challenges in PIB anodes but also a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism and kinetics of the potassium interaction with chalcogenides.