potassium-ion battery vs lithium-ion battery

potassium-ion battery vs lithium-ion battery，The world’s first 18650 cylindrical potassium-ion battery has recently been launched, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. The 18650 potassium-ion battery represents a class of rechargeable batteries that use potassium ions as charge carriers, in contrast to the more common lithium-ion batteries. Reportedly, this potassium-ion battery has a nominal voltage of 3.7V, and its energy density can reach 160-180Wh/kg, which is comparable to lithium iron phosphate batteries. This article will analyze the differences between 18650 potassium-ion batteries and 18650 lithium-ion batteries.

Comparison of 18650 Lithium-Ion and 18650 Potassium-Ion Battery Technologies

Working Principles of Lithium-Ion and Potassium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion and potassium-ion batteries differ significantly in their working principles. Lithium-ion batteries use lithium ions as charge carriers, while potassium-ion batteries use potassium ions. Both types of batteries adopt the same 18650 cylindrical size specification, which enables them to be easily integrated into existing devices and applications.

In terms of performance, potassium-ion batteries excel in cycle life and discharge performance, particularly in applications like electric vehicles, where they perform comparably to lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries have an energy density of 160-180Wh/kg, similar to lithium iron phosphate batteries. In comparison, potassium-ion batteries also achieve an energy density of 160-180Wh/kg, ensuring compatibility with modern electronic devices and systems.

Key Material Differences Between Lithium-Ion and Potassium-Ion Batteries

The primary material difference between lithium-ion and potassium-ion batteries lies in their charge transport mediums. Lithium-ion batteries use lithium ions, while potassium-ion batteries rely on potassium ions. Moreover, lithium-ion batteries typically require critical minerals like nickel, cobalt, copper, and lithium, whereas potassium-ion batteries can reduce dependency on these minerals. Potassium-ion batteries operate at a standard voltage of 3.7V, ensuring compatibility with modern electronic devices and systems.

Charge and Discharge Mechanism Comparison

Lithium-ion and potassium-ion batteries share similar charge and discharge mechanisms, where lithium or potassium ions are inserted into and extracted from electrode materials to store and release electrical energy. During charging, lithium ions in lithium-ion batteries move from the cathode material to the anode material through the electrolyte, forming lithium metal. In potassium-ion batteries, potassium ions move from the cathode to the anode, forming potassium metal. During discharge, lithium and potassium ions move from the anode back to the cathode through the electrolyte, forming lithium and potassium metal ions.

Analysis of Lithium-Ion and Potassium-Ion Battery Technology

Potassium-ion batteries are a new type of battery that uses potassium ions as charge carriers, different from lithium-ion batteries. These new batteries adopt the same size as the commonly available 18650 lithium-ion batteries, which have a diameter of 18mm and a length of 65mm, ensuring seamless compatibility with existing devices and systems without requiring expensive redesigns. Potassium-ion batteries operate at a standard voltage of 3.7V, ensuring compatibility with modern electronic devices and systems. Their energy density ranges from 160-180Wh/kg, comparable to lithium iron phosphate batteries.

Lithium-ion and potassium-ion batteries have significant differences in their technical principles. Lithium-ion batteries use lithium ions as charge carriers, while potassium-ion batteries use potassium ions. Both battery types share the same size specification, allowing the new potassium-ion batteries to integrate smoothly into existing devices and applications.

Advantages of Potassium-Ion Batteries

1. Higher Overall Energy Density: Compared to traditional energy storage technologies like lithium-ion batteries and lead-acid batteries, potassium-ion batteries possess higher overall energy density. Since potassium ions have a higher electrode reaction potential, they can store more charge at the same mass, achieving greater energy storage density. This gives potassium-ion batteries a certain advantage in the energy storage industry.
2. Lower Relative Cost: Compared to mature energy storage technologies like lithium-ion batteries, potassium-ion resources are more abundant, providing a cost advantage. This ensures the economic feasibility of potassium-ion batteries, making them widely applicable in the energy storage field.

Disadvantages of Potassium-Ion Batteries

1. Shorter Lifespan: Potassium-ion batteries tend to have a shorter lifespan, primarily due to lower cycle life. The different charge storage mechanisms in potassium-ion batteries compared to lithium-ion batteries lead to changes in the electrode materials, such as oxidation and shedding after many charge and discharge cycles, which shortens battery life.
2. Cycle Degradation: Potassium-ion batteries also suffer from serious cycle degradation. As the battery undergoes multiple charge and discharge cycles, its performance gradually declines, leading to low energy efficiency and a short lifespan.

Performance Advantages

Lithium-ion batteries have a significant advantage in high energy density. The mainstream lithium-ion battery technologies are primarily divided into ternary lithium batteries and lithium iron phosphate batteries. Ternary lithium batteries gained market share rapidly after 2017 due to their high energy density, and in 2021, lithium iron phosphate batteries surpassed ternary lithium batteries. In 2022 and 2023, the installation volume share of lithium iron phosphate batteries reached 62.4% and 67.6%, respectively. Furthermore, the energy density of liquid lithium batteries has approached its limit, while solid-state batteries have the potential to break through to 500Wh/kg, becoming the future direction of lithium battery development.

In conclusion, lithium-ion batteries excel in high energy density, fast-charging performance, and long lifespan. Through technological innovation, lithium-ion battery performance continues to improve, enhancing their market competitiveness. Potassium-ion batteries, as an emerging battery technology, hold promise due to their high energy density and cost advantages, gradually gaining traction in the market and potentially playing a key role in replacing traditional lead-acid batteries in the future.