Shirpour M., Doeff M.
University of Kentucky, US
Keywords: aqueous, electrolyte, energy storage, new electrode materials, sodium-ion batteries
The drastic increase in demand for lithium-ion batteries in the electronics and automotive industries is currently putting enormous pressure on lithium supplies, and has resulted in a steep price rise of the lithium precursors used in the manufacture of electrode and electrolyte materials. Sodium-ion batteries are an appealing lower cost alternative to lithium-ion batteries because of vast resources of sodium and much lower materials costs. Lithium is also a strategic element for energy because more than half of the world’s lithium reserves are located in only three countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile), while the United States has the world’s largest deposits of sodium and is the lowest cost producer of sodium precursors. Low cost energy storage systems are the key technologies for the fluctuating supply of electricity based on solar and wind power. Aqueous sodium-ion batteries offer multiple cost savings using less expensive electrode materials and much cheaper electrolyte solutions compared to the lithium-ion cells. For this presentation, we will discuss our recent results on the search for new anode materials for organic and aqueous electrolyte sodium-ion batteries. A comparison between organic and aqueous electrolytes will also be stressed to highlight the potentials and limitations in water-based sodium-ion batteries.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Materials for Energy, Efficiency and Sustainability: TechConnect Briefs 2015
Published: June 14, 2015
Pages: 17 - 20
Industry sector: Energy & Sustainability
Topic: Energy Storage
ISBN: 978-1-4987-4728-8