Sodium-Ion Batteries

Sodium-Ion Batteries

Subject: Science & Tech

Section: Msc

Context- Sodium is available in more abundance than lithium and considered to be safer as well. However sodium ion batteries fall short in terms of energy density hindering their potential use in electric vehicles.

Concept-

• The sodium-ion battery (NIB or SIB) is a type of rechargeable battery analogous to the lithium-ion battery but using sodium ions (Na+) as the charge carriers.
• Its working principle and cell construction are almost identical with those of commercially widespread lithium-ion battery types, but sodium compounds are used instead of lithium compounds.
• The largest advantage of sodium-ion batteries is the high natural abundance of sodium.
• This would make commercial production of sodium-ion batteries less costly than lithium-ion batteries.
• No electric vehicles use sodium ion batteries.
• Challenges to adoption include low energy density and a limited number of charge-discharge cycles.
• Sodium-ion batteries offer better performance and can operate at a wider temperature range. They work much more efficiently in cold environments, compared to lithium-ion batteries.
• Another advantage of sodium-ion batteries over lithium-ion batteries is they are nonflammable and there is no thermal runaway.
• Sodium ion batteries are lightweight compared to Li-ion batteries.
• Sodium falls short in terms of energy density, thus making it difficult to make small batteries for use in electric vehicles.