High-performance free-standing anode material WS2@HCP010N for potassium ion battery

Potassium ion batteries (PIBs) are anticipated to serve as an alternative to lithium ion batteries (LIBs) because the abundant raw material reserves and the more negative standard electrode potential of K + /K, which is (−2.93 V). However, there are numerous problems of potassium ion batteries, such as the unstable structure of anode materials and cyclic performance. Among various types of anode materials for potassium batteries, carbon-based materials are cost-effective and possess a special porous structure and stable electrode properties. Nevertheless, the capacity of carbon-based materials is not satisfactory. In this article, a new free-standing WS 2 @HCP010N electrode is designed through the solvent-thermal method. The WS 2 @HCP010N free-standing anode offers a first-cycle specific capacity of 350.4 mA h g −1 at a current density of 0.1 A g −1 and the specific capacity of 106.3 mA h g −1 at a current density of 0.2 A g −1 after 682 cycles with a coulomb efficiency of 99.66 %. Cyclic voltammetry curves reveal the intercalation/deintercalation reaction of WS 2 during cycling, and the fast charge transfer kinetics of WS 2 @HCP010N is demonstrated by diffusion coefficient and electrochemical impedance tests. The self-supporting WS 2 @HCP010N electrode provides a new idea and strategy for the new generation of potassium ion batteries. • We synthesized a WS 2 @HCP010N for the first time. • The WS 2 @HCP010N material has a unique structure and self-support. • The WS 2 @HCP010N anode materials exhibit excellent electrochemical properties in potassium ion batteries.