What is the Sodium-Ion Battery and its importance

Sodium-Ion Battery (SIB):   

They are rechargeable batteries that require sodium ion movement between electrodes during the charging and discharging of the battery. The cathode for these batteries is manufactured from sodium. Sodium-ion battery are a type of rechargeable battery similar to lithium batteries, but carry the charge using sodium ions (Na+) instead of lithium ions (Li+).

• These new hybrid sodium-ion batteries combine materials from traditional batteries with those used in supercapacitors.
• These are both cheaper and safer than the conventional lithium-ion batteries found in smartphones and electric cars.
• Sodium (Na) is also 500 times more abundant than lithium, while it holds the potential for greater charge and efficiency than its Li-ion batteries..
• Sodium-ion batteries haven’t been widely adopted due to drawbacks like slow charging and low energy storage.
• This new battery offers:
  1. Faster charging times than current lithium-ion batteries.
  2. Higher energy density than commercial lithium-ion batteries (247 Wh/kg).
  3. High power density (34,748 W/kg).
• Its potential applications include electric vehicles and consumer electronics.

What are the issues with Lithium-Ion? 

Lithium-ion extraction led to environmentally harmful mining practices.
It releases harmful chemicals, which further spill into the rivers and their ecosystem.
Non-reusable as its recycling process is very expensive.

What are the Benefits of Sodium-Ion?

• It’s cheaper to produce than their lithium counterparts because of the abundance of the raw materials required to make them.
• They are energy-dense, non-flammable, and operate well in colder temperatures.
• Further, they can store more energy per unit weight; this could make them well-suited for larger applications such as electric vehicles.
• They are less likely to experience thermal runaway, a condition that can cause fires in lithium-ion batteries.

How Sodium-Ion Batteries (SIBs) Work?

• During discharge:  Sodium ions move from the anode (negative electrode) to cathode (positive electrode), which hosts ions
  and undergoes reduction.
• These ions travel through an electrolyte (an electrical conductor) that enables the flow of current by creating a potential difference.
• During Recharge: Sodium ions return to the anode.     

Advantages of Sodium-Ion Batteries (SIBs) Compared to Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs):

• Cost: SIBs are cost-competitive (overall costs could be 15%-20%
  lower) than LIBs since sodium compounds are cheaper than lithium
  equivalents.
• Supply chain decentralisation: Sodium’s abundance enables diverse
  global manufacturing, reducing geopolitical risks.
    E.g., As of 2023, China accounted for nearly 60% of global
  Lithium processing, highlighting the current concentration in
  Lithium supply chains that SIBs can help diversify.
• Technology: SIBs have a better range of operational temperatures
  than LIBs, allowing them to be safely deployed in areas with greater
  temperature variation.
• Safety: SIBs can be transported at zero voltage (fully discharged),
  reducing fire risks and costly safety measures compared to LIBs.