High-Capacity Sodium-Ion Battery Electrode for Room Temperature Applications
Researchers at Kansas State University have developed a high-performance sodium-ion battery (SIB) electrode having high electrochemical capacity and improved cycling ability for Na+ at room temperature. The electrode is binder-free and has been demonstrated to work both as a mechanically-flexible electrode and on convention copper foils.SIBs have drawn increasing attention because in contrast to lithium, sodium resources are practically inexhaustible, far lower priced, and involve a greener synthesis, while maintaining similar ion-insertion chemistry to lithium. Sodium has a very negative redox potential and a small electrochemical equivalent, making it the most advantageous element for battery applications after lithium. A major obstacle hindering the broad market penetration of existing sodium batteries is the long term stability and endurance of the battery components due to their operation at high temperatures (~300°C).Researchers at KSU have developed an SIB that runs at room temperature, which could bring about significant improvement in the safety and operational simplicity with respect to conventional high temperature SIBs.Advantages and Technical Merits:Demonstrated charge capacity of 115 mAhg-1anode (i.e. 95% of first cycle capacity; capacity and current density are with respect to total electrode weight) after 5 cycles.Cell remains fairly stable with a charge capacity of 52 mAhg-1anodeeven at a high current density of 2.4 Ag-1.When cycled back at 100 mAg-1 , it recovers to a stable charge capacity of 110 mAg-1anode (i.e. 98% of its initial capacity; ~90 mAh.cm-3) and remains stable for another 50 cycles.Applications and Commercial Opportunities:Portable electronic devicesElectric vehiclesRenewable energy integrationElectrical gridOther large-scale electric energy storage applicationsPatent Status:US Patent Application #14/910,451 filed on February 5, 2016.Kansas State University Research Foundation seeks to have discussions with companies that are interested in licensing and/or research collaborations.Interested parties should contact:Kansas State University Institute for Commercialization (KSU-IC)2005 Research Park Circle Manhattan, KS 66502Tel: 785-532-3900 Fax: 785-532-3909E-Mail: ic@k-state.edu
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