An ultra-low concentration electrolyte with fluorine-free bulky anions for stable potassium metal batteries

Potassium metal battery is a promising alternative to Li-ion battery for large-scale energy storage due to the abundant potassium resources and high energy density.However,it suffers from rapid capacity fading and safety issues due to the uncontrolled dendrite growth.Herein,we design a fluorine-free ultra-low concentration electrolyte(ULCE)with the super bulky[BPh_(4)]^(−) anions for stable potassium metal battery.In this special electrolyte,the migration rate of K+in the electrolyte is about six times faster than that of the[BPh_(4)]^(−) anions because of the super bulky structure of the[BPh_(4)]^(−) anions,thus resulting in a high K^(+)transference number of 0.76.This high transference number can effectively make up for the deficiency of K^(+)in ULCE for ensuring the normal operation of the potassium metal battery.In addition,the improved transference number can also promote the uniform distribution of K^(+)flux on the surface of the K metal anode,resulting in uniform K deposition.As a result,this electrolyte achieves a high K plating/stripping Coulombic efficiency of 92.6%over 200 cycles and a stable discharging/charging for 100 cycles under the full battery configuration(K used as the anode and perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride used as the cathode).

Thermal and mechanical characteristics of a thermal pile in permafrost regions

Cast-in-place pile foundations are widely used in permafrost regions to support buildings.The stability of cast-in-place pile foundations is highly sensitive to permafrost thermal regime changes.Permafrost degradation caused by climate change is increasing the disaster risk of castin-place pile foundations.However,proactive cooling methods for cast-in-place pile foundations are seldom reported.The cold energy produced by two-phase closed thermosyphons(TPCTs)can efficiently prevent the permafrost thermal regime from being disturbed by engineering activities and climate change.TPCTs were installed in a concrete pile forming a thermal pile.Then,a model experiment was conducted to explore the thermal regime,influence scope,dissipation process of cold energy,and freezing strength of the thermal pile.The results indicated that the thermal pile may significantly cool the foundation soil.Most of cold energy produced by the thermal pile dissipated during the warm period,and the cooling scope of the thermal pile can cover the area within a 40 cm(twice the pile diameter)radius around the pile.Additionally,the TPCTs can significantly improve freezing strength between the thermal pile and frozen soil.The lesson learned from this study can provide a new approach to control the thermal regime of cast-in-place pile foundation in permafrost,which was of valuable to the construction of pile foundations in cold regions.