Science has successfully made a stable, fast-charging sodium battery like a li-ion battery

According to scientists, finding a substitute for lithium and cobalt in li-ion batteries will have a positive impact on the environment. To achieve this big goal, researchers at the University of Texas have developed a new type of battery made of sodium as the main material, which is exceptionally stable and possesses the same fast charging speed as a li-ion battery.

The new battery has a greater discharge potential than the current lithium-ion battery technology.

 In a sodium battery, the anode can produce dendrite filaments

Batteries can generate electricity by moving ions between the two poles. In sodium batteries, the anode can produce dendrite filaments, 'root' fibers that spread inside the battery and can cause a fire. The new sodium-based battery prevents the formation of dendrite filaments, while the battery still has the same charging speed as li-ion batteries.

The material that makes up the anode of the new battery is a thin sheet of sodium metal laminated on top of antimony tellurite powder, and folded several times to spread the sodium molecules evenly across the anode surface. Such a layer of sodium prevents dendrite fiber formation and corrosion. The manufacturing process also makes the battery more stable.

The dendrite fibers can break the barrier between the two terminals, causing the battery to short and causing fire and explosion.

'We're basically solving two problems at once,' said study co-author David Mitlin. 'Normally, the faster the charge, the more the dendrite filaments grow. So, by preventing the formation of dendrite, we can charge it faster, because the [battery] is safe'.

Technology is more and more modern, the demand for energy storage equipment is increasing. The new technology could provide a new solution that is safe, long-lasting and cheaper than current li-ion battery technology. The researchers have filed a patent request for the new battery technology, trying to put them into practice soon.

The scientific report has been published in the journal Advanced Materials.