The intercalation of potassium ions into graphite is demonstrated to be feasible, while the electrochemical performance of potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) remains unsatisfying. More effort is needed to improve the specific capacity while maintaining a superior rate capability. As an attempt, nitrogen/oxygen dual-doped hierarchical porous hard carbon (NOHPHC) is introduced as the anode in KIBs by carbonizing and acidizing the NH -MIL-101(Al) precursor. Specifically, the NOHPHC electrode delivers high reversible capacities of 365 and 118 mA h g at 25 and 3000 mA g , respectively. The capacity retention reaches 69.5% at 1050 mA g for 1100 cycles. The reasons for the enhanced electrochemical performance, such as the high capacity, good cycling stability, and superior rate capability, are analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Quantitative analysis reveals that mixed mechanisms, including capacitance and diffusion, account for the K-ion storage, in which the capacitance plays a more important role. Specifically, the enhanced interlayer spacing (0.39 nm) enables the intercalation of large K ions, while the high specific surface area of ≈1030 m g and the dual-heteroatom doping (N and O) are conducive to the reversible adsorption of K ions.

The ever‐increasing demand for large‐scale energy storage systems requires novel battery technologies with low‐cost and sustainable properties. Due to earth‐abundance and cost effectiveness, the development of rechargeable potassium ion batteries (PIBs) has recently attracted much attention. Since carbon‐based materials are abundant, inexpensive, nontoxic, and safe, extensive feasibility investigations have suggested that they can become promising anode materials for PIBs. This review not only attempts to provide better understanding of the potassium storage mechanism, but also summarizes the availability of new carbon‐based materials and their electrochemical performance covering graphite, graphene, and hard carbon materials plus carbon‐based composites. Finally, the critical issues, challenges, and perspectives are discussed to demonstrate the developmental direction of PIBs.

Nitrogen-doped (N-doped) graphene has been prepared by a simple one-step hydrothermal approach using hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) as single carbon and nitrogen source. In this hydrothermal process, HMTA pyrolyzes at high temperature and the N-doped graphene subsequently self-assembles on the surface of MgO particles (formed by the Mg powder reacting with H2O) during which graphene synthesis and nitrogen doping are simultaneously achieved. The as-synthesized graphene with incorporation of nitrogen groups possesses unique structure including thin layer thickness, high surface area, mesopores and vacancies. These structural features and their synergistic effects could not only improve ions and electrons transportation with nanometer-scale diffusion distances but also promote the penetration of electrolyte. The N-doped graphene exhibits high reversible capacity, superior rate capability as well as long-term cycling stability, which demonstrate that the N-doped graphene with great potential to be an efficient electrode material. The experimental results provide a new hydrothermal route to synthesize N-doped graphene with potential application for advanced energy storage, as well as useful information to design new graphene materials.

The intercalation of potassium ions into graphitic carbon materials has been demonstrated to be feasible while the electrochemical performance of the potassium-ion battery (PIB) is still unsatisfactory.

Heteroatom-doped graphene is considered a potential electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) systems are possible alternatives due to the comparatively higher abundance. Here, a practical solid-state method is described for the preparation of few-layer F-doped graphene foam (FFGF) with thickness of about 4 nm and high surface area (874 m(2)g(-1)). As anode material for LIBs, FFGF exhibits 800 mAh·g(-1) after 50 cycles at a current density of 100 mA·g(-1) and 555 mAh·g(-1) after 100 cycles at 200 mA·g(-1) as well as remarkable rate capability. FFGF also shows 165.9 mAh·g(-1) at 500 mA·g(-1) for 200 cycles for PIBs. Research suggests that the multiple synergistic effects of the F-modification, high surface area, and mesoporous membrane structures endow the ions and electrons throughout the electrode matrix with fast transportation as well as offering sufficient active sites for lithium and potassium storage, resulting in excellent electrochemical performance. Furthermore, the insights obtained will be of benefit to the design of reasonable electrode materials for alkali metal ion batteries.