Synthesis, Structural Analysis, and Degradation Behaviour of Potassium Tin Chloride as Chloride-Ion Batteries Conversion Electrode Material

Chloride ion batteries (CIBs) offer a compelling alternative to lithium-ion systems, particularly in applications demanding cost-effectiveness and resource sustainability. However, the development of tailored electrode materials remains a critical bottleneck for CIB advancement. In this study, we synthesized an untapped class of perovskite-based material potassium hexachlorostannate (K2SnCl6, denoted as KSC) via a facile mechanochemical route for the first time. The prepared KSC was subjected to various characterization techniques to confirm its crystal structure and morphology. Herein, KSC exhibited intriguing electrochemical performance in a non-aqueous CIB configuration, utilizing a lithium metal counter electrode. Furthermore, ex-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, reveal a conversion reaction mechanism involving chloride ion shuttling and provide insights into structural evolution during cycling. Moreover, the Density functional theory (DFT) studies supported additional degradation products that could potentially limit the performance of these materials, limiting the performance of these materials as potential battery electrodes in CIBs.