LAUSR

Potassium batteries are showing interesting peculiarities as large-scale energy storage systems and, in this scenario, the formulation of polymer electrolytes obtained from sustainable resources or waste-derived products represents a milestone activity. Here, a lignin-based membrane is designed by crosslinking a pre-oxidized Kraft lignin matrix with an ethoxylated difunctional oligomer, leading to self-standing membranes able to incorporate solvated potassium salts. The in-depth electrochemical characterization highlights a wide stability window (up to 4 V) and an ionic conductivity exceeding 10 -3 S cm -1 at ambient temperature. When potassium metal cell prototypes are assembled, the lignin-based electrolyte allows the achievement of noteworthy electrochemical performances, with an initial specific capacity of 168 mAh g -1 at 0.05 A g -1 and an excellent operation for more than 200 cycles, i.e. an unprecedented outcome for biosourced systems in the potassium batteries field.