Sodium-Ion Batteries With 458Wh/kg Energy Density

Researchers discovered a novel material to improve sodium-ion batteries, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to lithium-based technologies.

A new material developed by an international team of scientists, including researchers from the University of Houston, has set a milestone in energy storage technology. The material, sodium vanadium phosphate (Na_xV₂(PO₄)₃), significantly enhances the performance of sodium-ion batteries, boosting their energy density by over 15%. These findings could reshape the energy landscape by offering a sustainable and economical alternative to lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries, while ubiquitous in devices like smartphones and electric cars, are increasingly problematic due to the limited availability, high cost, and geopolitical concerns surrounding lithium. Sodium, on the other hand, is abundant and cost-effective—almost 50 times cheaper than lithium. “Sodium can even be harvested from seawater, making it a much more sustainable option for large-scale energy storage,” said Pieremanuele Canepa, lead researcher, University of Houston.

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The improved sodium-ion batteries, with their energy density of 458Wh/kg, can cater to industries reliant on large-scale energy storage systems, such as renewable energy providers, grid storage facilities, and manufacturers of electric vehicles. Its application in everyday electronics could make sustainable battery technology more accessible to households and businesses alike. The design, belonging to a class called NaSICONs (Na superionic conductors), ensures smooth ion transfer during charging and discharging while maintaining stability. Unlike older materials, Na_xV₂(PO₄)₃ works as a single-phase system, sustaining a voltage of 3.7V, a substantial improvement over the previous standard of 3.37V.

This advancement is attributed to vanadium’s ability to exist in multiple stable states, allowing it to store and release energy efficiently. “The continuous voltage change ensures stable electrode performance, a crucial feature for enhancing sodium-ion technology,” Canepa added.

Beyond sodium-ion batteries, the synthesis method used in this project holds promise for developing other advanced energy storage materials. By addressing global energy challenges, this innovation brings us closer to a cleaner, more sustainable future, marking a significant step in making battery technology accessible worldwide.