Na-ion batteries

 Research on Na-ion batteries within ALISTORE-ERI started in 2008 and has widened concomitant to the boosting of the topic in recent years. 

Indeed, lower cost and less risk of supply for sodium with respect to lithium make the development of this technology attractive for large scale applications. 

10 partners are currently devoting efforts to the topic covering all domains from electrode materials (both positives and negatives) to electrolyte via the study of their interactions, including both experimental and modeling aspects, and taking advantage of Alistore characterization platforms.

The studies are developed on the basis of own skills and competences developed by each group and takes advantage of the large acquired know-how for Li-ion technology..
With respect to positive electrode materials, polyanionic compounds such as Na₃V₂(PO₄)₂F₃ or layered phases (NaMO₂ and Na-rich Na₂MO₃) are under investigation while Na₂Ti₃O₇, nanosized TiO₂, different types of carbon and also Sb-based alloys are selected for the negative electrodes.

Researches aiming at unraveling new electrolyte salts (NaTDI for instance) are also conducted together with the development of new electrolyte compositions involving conventional organic solvents but also ionic liquids or PEO. Laboratory full Na-ion cells displaying an operation voltage of 3.65 V, very low polarisation and excellent capacity retention upon cycling and very good power performance have been achieved, which exhibit energy densities comparable to those of the current state-of-the-art LiFePO₄/C Li-ion technology.