A breakthrough battery technology could significantly improve the safety of batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs) and improve the stability of the energy grid, scientists say.
Researchers have made a breakthrough during the development of solid-state sodium ion (Na ion) batteries. This battery could one day complement and replace the lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries used in many everyday devices today.
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Lithium-ion batteries, the primary battery technology used in products ranging from cell phones to electric cars, can suffer from a process known as “thermal runaway.” This occurs when a battery suffers a short circuit or physical damage, setting off a self-sustaining chain reaction that significantly increases heat within the cell.
Commercially available lithium-ion batteries also typically contain an organic liquid electrolyte, which is an essential element for energy density and efficient charging and discharging. These liquid electrolytes are highly flammable and can cause the battery to catch fire or explode if damaged.
Na-ion batteries may be a safer alternative because they contain more stable cathode materials and sodium ions have a lower electrochemical potential than lithium ions, making them less susceptible to thermal runaway.
The disadvantage is that Na-ion batteries have a relatively low energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries, so they take less time between charges. Additionally, Na-ion batteries currently degrade faster, which can shorten their overall lifespan. Both of these factors have historically prevented Na-ion batteries from becoming mainstream.
But as outlined in a new study, scientists have created a solid material containing sulfur and chlorine that aids in electrical conductivity in a similar way to liquid electrolytes, but offers much greater stability. The new battery exhibited a coulombic efficiency of 99.26% after 600 charge cycles (10 hours of discharge) at 0.1C, approaching the 99% or higher achieved by lithium batteries.
Challenging the superiority of lithium
“We replaced the liquid electrolyte in the battery with a solid electrolyte, which is nonflammable,” Yang Zhao, a professor in Western University’s Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, said in a video uploaded to YouTube.
The research team also confirmed their results by using the Canada Light Source, Canada’s national synchrotron radiation facility, to study the movement of ions in solid electrolytes.
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“These X-ray tools allow us to observe the local chemical environment, ionic pathways, and bond structures in a way that is not possible with regular laboratory equipment,” Zhao said in a further statement. “It is essential for the development of all-solid-state battery materials.”
The new battery technology could lead to widespread use of Na-ion batteries, especially for critical workloads currently filled with more volatile lithium-ion batteries, the researchers said. Next, they must demonstrate that their approach provides the right balance of safety and energy density, and that their manufacturing methods can scale to meet the huge demand for batteries seen around the world.
Despite accounting for approximately 70% of the world’s rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion batteries are primarily used in only a handful of critical applications.
For example, recent International Energy Agency (IEA) data shows that the energy sector accounts for more than 90% of lithium-ion demand.
Currently, national battery energy storage systems (BESS) are under intense scrutiny, especially after repeated fires at BESS facilities in California, necessitating the construction of fire suppression systems. Na-ion could help alleviate these concerns and accelerate the deployment of BESS, which stores intermittent supplies of renewable energy and later supplies it on demand.
Because sodium is more abundant than lithium, mass production of Na-ion batteries could significantly reduce costs across the battery supply chain.
As highlighted in a 2023 study, Na-ion batteries also have the advantage of being easier to recycle than Li-ion batteries because they contain fewer harmful substances and no heavy metals.
Many famous car brands are already working on the development of Na-ion batteries. In April, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), the world’s largest battery manufacturer, announced that it is mass producing Na-ion batteries using its new “Naxtra” battery platform. This product is scheduled to be used in cars from 2026. Chinese auto giant BYD is also developing Na-ion batteries for grid-scale energy storage.
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