Sodium-ion batteries (NIBs, SIBs, or Na-ion batteries) are several types of rechargeable batteries, which use sodium ions (Na +) as their charge carriers. In some cases, its working principle and cell construction are similar to those of lithium-ion battery (LIB) types, but it replaces lithium with sodium as the intercalating ion.
Sodium-Ion (Na-ion) batteries, much like their Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) counterparts, operate on the principles of electrochemistry. The fundamental process involves the movement of sodium ions between the battery’s two main electrodes: the anode and the cathode. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
Part 2. Sodium-ion battery history The journey of sodium-ion batteries began in the 1970s when researchers started exploring alternatives to lithium-ion technology. Early sodium-ion batteries faced significant challenges, such as low energy density and poor cycle life.
Sodium-ion batteries have several advantages over competing battery technologies. Compared to lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries have somewhat lower cost, better safety characteristics (for the aqueous versions), and similar power delivery characteristics, but also a lower energy density (especially the aqueous versions).
Cost-Effectiveness: Sodium-ion batteries are cheaper to produce due to the abundance of sodium, making them an attractive option for cost-sensitive applications. Safety: Enhanced safety features make sodium-ion batteries suitable for applications where thermal stability is crucial.
A second sort of Li-ion battery, a so-called polyanionic design that uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP), does not need nickel or cobalt. But such batteries cannot store as much energy per kilogram as layered-oxide ones. A clutch of companies, though, think they have an alternative: making batteries with sodium instead.