Sodium‐Ion Battery Materials and Electrochemical Properties Reviewed

TLDR

Demand for electrochemical energy storage is rising with renewable energy and grid‑scale markets, but lithium‑ion batteries face resource constraints; sodium‑ion batteries, using earth‑abundant elements, offer similar performance, lower cost, and rapid material development, positioning them as a promising alternative. The review aims to elucidate innovative strategies in SIB material development, electrochemical properties of anode, cathode, and electrolyte combinations, and to discuss commercialization opportunities and challenges via patent trend analysis. The authors synthesize material development strategies and electrochemical property data for SIB anodes, cathodes, and electrolytes. SIBs demonstrate attractive gravimetric and volumetric energy densities comparable to state‑of‑the‑art LIBs, and their commercial prospects appear promising, positioning them to play a major role in energy‑storage applications.

Abstract

Abstract The demand for electrochemical energy storage technologies is rapidly increasing due to the proliferation of renewable energy sources and the emerging markets of grid‐scale battery applications. The properties of batteries are ideal for most electrical energy storage (EES) needs, yet, faced with resource constraints, the ability of current lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) to match this overwhelming demand is uncertain. Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are a novel class of batteries with similar performance characteristics to LIBs. Since they are composed of earth‐abundant elements, cheaper and utility scale battery modules can be assembled. As a result of the learning curve in the LIB technology, a phenomenal progression in material development has been realized in the SIB technology. In this review, innovative strategies used in SIB material development, and the electrochemical properties of anode, cathode, and electrolyte combinations are elucidated. Attractive performance characteristics are herein evidenced, based on comparative gravimetric and volumetric energy densities to state‐of‐the‐art LIBs. In addition, opportunities and challenges toward commercialization are herein discussed based on patent data trend analysis. With extensive industrial adaptations expected, the commercial prospects of SIBs look promising and this once discarded technology is set to play a major role in EES applications.