Sodium-Ion Batteries: The Future of Sustainable Energy Storage

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are crucial for storing energy. But, there’s not a lot of lithium available, which makes people worry about how long we can use LIBs. Scientists from Dongguk University have looked at recent improvements in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), which could be used instead of LIBs. Their work could help young researchers tackle the current problems with SIBs and speed up their use in the real world.

As the world’s energy needs grow and we move towards using more renewable energy, LIBs have become a key part of everyday life. But, because there’s only a limited amount of lithium and it’s getting more expensive, people are worried about how sustainable LIBs are.

Sustainable Energy Storage

That’s why SIBs are getting a lot of attention. They have many benefits - they’re made from materials that are easy to find, safe, and work in a similar way to LIBs. But, there are still many problems that stop SIBs from being used more widely.

A group of researchers from different countries, led by Professor Kyung-Wan Nam from Dongguk University in Korea, have looked at the latest improvements in SIB technology to show these problems and how they might be solved.

Improving SIBs for wider use

Prof. Nam says, "We think that illustrating the improvements and problems with SIBs can inspire young researchers and provide practical information for enhancing the performance of SIBs and promoting their wider use." They put their study online on July 4, 2023, and the journal Advanced Functional Materials published it on November 9, 2023.

The team pointed out the main areas of research in SIB technology, focusing on the development of materials for cathodes and anodes, electrolytes, and full-cell configurations. While most studies so far have only looked at half-cell configurations, full-cell configurations for SIBs could be a long-term replacement for LIBs. Luckily, new energy companies and many researchers are working to make practical full-cell SIBs a reality.

The team also pointed out where future research should go, suggesting getting rid of toxic substances in cathodes and designing anodes that control volume. They also said that electrolytes could greatly improve the life cycle and performance of SIBs.

“Even though SIBs might cost a little less and are similar to LIBs, the fact that sodium is readily available and less toxic materials are used makes them a good alternative. In the long run, SIBs can work alongside LIB technology, rather than competing with it,” says Prof. Nam.

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