TY  - JOUR
AU  - Li, Changjian
AU  - Huo, Xiaoyu
AU  - Feng, Jian
AU  - Wei, Lai
AU  - Li, Kezhuo
AU  - Shen, Dongyang
AU  - Liu, Kai
PY  - 2026
TI  - Electrolyte materials and interfacial engineering for high-energy-density aqueous potassium-ion batteries
JO  - Carbon Future
SN  - 2960-0561
SP  - 9200087
VL  - 3
IS  - 3
AB  - Aqueous potassium-ion batteries (AKIBs) have emerged as highly attractive candidates for grid-scale energy storage owing to their intrinsic safety, low cost, and fast ion-transport kinetics. However, their practical deployment is severely impeded by insufficient energy density, which typically remains below 80 Wh∙kg−1. This limitation is largely attributed to the narrow electrochemical stability window of conventional dilute electrolytes and the resulting electrode degradation. To address this critical bottleneck, this review provides a systematic overview of strategies for enhancing the energy density of AKIBs. Recent advances are comprehensively evaluated from two key perspectives: phase-transition mitigation and structural hydration engineering through water-in-salt electrolytes and hydrogen-bond regulation. Specifically, the evolution of electrolyte design from superconcentrated formulations to cost-effective fluorine-free alternatives and low-salt hybrid concepts is elucidated. Finally, persistent challenges are outlined, and strategic perspectives on interfacial chemistry and realistic full-cell metrics are provided to facilitate the practical development and commercialization of high-energy-density AKIBs.
UR  - https://doi.org/10.26599/CF.2026.9200087
DO  - 10.26599/CF.2026.9200087