Sodium-ion batteries will become 100 times cheaper than lithium-ion analogues

Scientists from Moscow State University synthesized new material forsodium-ion batteries, the cost of which is 100 times lower than lithium-ion analogues. Sodium vanadium pyrophosphate showed unique electrochemical properties.

Sodium carbonate based batteries are much morecheaper than lithium-ion ones, but 30-50% larger in size with the same energy intensity. The sodium battery is cheaper due to the use of inexpensive and lightweight aluminum instead of copper. 

Chemists solved the problem of large dimensions by studying the structure previously described for large alkalinecations — potassium, rubidium and cesium.Sodium vanadium pyrophosphate has an energy capacity of 420 W·h/kg. This is only 20% less than the lithium-based cathode material LiCoO2. Before the study by Russian scientists, the record energy intensity of a sodium battery was 400 W·h/kg.

The second achievement of chemists was the extremely smallchange in volume during charge-discharge – only 0.5%. According to this indicator, sodium vanadium pyrophosphate is close to the most stable material, which is widely used in electric vehicle batteries – lithium titanium spinel.

Scientists from Moscow State University still have work to do to improveelectrochemical properties of the compound, after which the sodium-ion battery will be able to displace the lithium-ion analogs widely used in smartphones, laptops, household appliances and electric vehicles. 

The study of the chemical properties of new compounds is ongoing throughout the world. Recently, scientists in Germany discovered a new stable form of plutonium.

text: Ilya Bauer