Although sodium-sulphur (Na-S) batteries have existed for more than half a century, they have been an inferior alternative and their widespread use has been limited by low energy capacity and short life cycles.
But using a simple pyrolysis process and carbon-based electrodes to improve the reactivity of sulphur and the reversibility of reactions between sulphur and sodium, the researchers’ battery has shaken off its formerly sluggish reputation, exhibiting super-high capacity and ultra-long life at room temperature.
The team says the Na-S battery is also a more energy-dense and less toxic alternative to lithium-ion batteries which, while used extensively in electronic devices and for energy storage, are expensive to manufacture and recycle.
“Our sodium battery has the potential to dramatically reduce costs while providing four times as much storage capacity. This is a…
Low-cost, high-capacity sodium-sulphur battery expected to be gamechanger for clean energy economy
