This study comprehensively investigates three types of graphite materials as potential anodes for potassium-ion batteries. Natural graphite, artificial carbon-coated graphite, and mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) are examined for their structural characteristics and electrochemical performances. Structural analyses, including HRTEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and laser particle size measurements, reveal distinct features in each graphite type. XRD spectra confirm that all graphites are composed of pure carbon, with high crystallinity and varying crystal sizes. Raman spectroscopy indicates differences in disorder levels, with artificial carbon-coated graphite exhibiting the highest disorder, attributed to its outer carbon coating. Ex-situ Raman and HRTEM techniques on the electrodes reveal their distinct electrochemical behaviors. MCMB stands out with superior stability and capacity retention during prolonged cycling, attributed to its unique spherical particle structure facilitating potassium-ion diffusion. The study suggests that MCMB holds promise for potassium-ion full batteries. In addition, artificial carbon-coated graphite, despite challenges in hindering potassium-ion diffusion, may find applications in commercial potassium-ion battery anodes with suitable coatings. The research contributes valuable insights into potassiumion battery anode materials, offering a significant extension to the current understanding of graphite-based electrode performance.

We report potentiometric performances of ion-to-electron transducer based on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) for application of all-solid-state potassium ion sensors. A large surface area and pore structure of RGO are obtained by a hydrothermal self-assembly of graphene oxide. The extensive electrochemical characterization of RGO solid contact at the interface of ionselective membrane and gold electrode shows that the potassium ion-selective electrode based on RGO had a high sensitivity (53.34 mV/log[K+]), a low detection of limit (− 4.24 log[ K+], 0.06 mM) a good potential stability, and a high resistance to light and gas interferences. The potentiometric K+- sensor device was fabricated by combining of screen-printed electrodes and a printed circuit board. The K+- sensor device accurately measures the ion concentration of real samples of commercial sports drinks, coke and orange juice, and then transfers the collected data to a mobile application through a Bluetooth module. The screen-printed ion sensors based on RGO solid contact show a great potential for real-time monitoring and point-of-care devices in human health care, water-treatment process, and environmental and chemical industries.