Zinc-guided 3D graphene bulk materials for high-performance binder-free anodes of potassium-ion batteries

Potassium ion batteries are promisingly proposed for the large cale energy storage. However, potassium with large ion radius causes severe volumetric expansion of anodes during charging, which deteriorates the rate and the cycling performances of batteries. Herein, a honeycomb-like graphene monolith with rich micropores is prepared. The monolith is further applied as the binder-free anode for potassium ion batteries. It shows the remarkable rate performance with a capacity of 180 mAh g −1 at a current density of 10 A g −1 , and it can stably run for 4000 cycles at 1 A g −1 . Kinetic studies and theoretical analyses reveal that the large graphitic interlayer spacing, the nitrogen doping, and the 3D network structure can significantly promote the diffusion rate, the absorption of potassium ions, as well as the transports of electrons and ions. The graphene-based potassium ion batteries can thus boost the development of renewable energies. • Defect-rich monolithic graphene with high specific surface area was prepared. • Zinc-guided graphene monolith was used as a binder-free potassium-storage anode. • Large interlayer spacing, nitrogen doping and 3D network improved performances.