biostudies-literatureUnknown5(9)Zhang CThe interaction between K atoms and oxygen molecules on solid surfaces is of topical interest to oxidation-reduction processes in K-O₂ batteries. Alkali metals have one <i>ns</i> electron in their valence shell, making them highly chemically reactive toward oxidizing reactants. Mechanistic information on the oxygen reduction by K at the atomic level is scarce despite its key role in defining the alkali metal-O₂ battery performance. Here, we use scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory to investigate the reduction of a single oxygen molecule by K atoms codeposited on the Ag(111) surface. Our study provides fundamental chemical information on the binary and collective interactions between the O₂ and K atoms on metal surfaces.JACS Au4530-4538https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12458050biostudies-literatureAn Atomic-Scale Mechanism of Potassium-Oxygen Redox Chemistry.PMC12458050Petek HChen LZhang CZhao JfalseAn Atomic-Scale Mechanism of Potassium-Oxygen Redox Chemistry.The interaction between K atoms and oxygen molecules on solid surfaces is of topical interest to oxidation-reduction processes in K-O₂ batteries. Alkali metals have one <i>ns</i> electron in their valence shell, making them highly chemically reactive toward oxidizing reactants. Mechanistic information on the oxygen reduction by K at the atomic level is scarce despite its key role in defining the alkali metal-O₂ battery performance. Here, we use scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory to investigate the reduction of a single oxygen molecule by K atoms codeposited on the Ag(111) surface. Our study provides fundamental chemical information on the binary and collective interactions between the O₂ and K atoms on metal surfaces.2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Sep2026-06-03T20:22:40.624Z2026-05-01T03:10:00.224ZS-EPMC124580504100164710.1021/jacsau.5c00855