Why sodium-ion batteries developed by Indian scientists are a big deal
Cheaper than Li-ion; high performing, and can be scaled up to industrial-level production
Source - GoI
Scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur have achieved a breakthrough in developing sodium-based e-batteries, which could replace the now popular lithium-ion batteries in future.
Lithium reserves are limited and under the control of large companies. Hence, Li-ion batteries are not only costly but also difficult to procure. Further, li-ion batteries have other limitations like fire hazards when discharged completely, and the long charging time.
Sodium (Na)-ion batteries overcome these problems easily, given high natural abundance. Indian scientists had been working on developing Na-ion batteries, and have been successful in developing those and supercapacitors, which can be rapidly charged.
Dr. Amreesh Chandra, Professor in the Department of Physics at IIT Kharagpur, and his team used sodium iron phosphates and sodium manganese phosphates, which they synthesized to obtain Na-ion-based batteries and supercapacitors. These sodium materials were combined with various novel architectures of carbon to develop a battery.
“These sodium materials are cheaper than Li-based materials, high performing, and can be scaled up to industrial-level production,” said the government statement. The Na-ion battery can also be totally discharged to zero volt, similar to a capacitor, making it safer. Na-ion batteries can be charged rapidly as well.
To start with, they have also integrated them in e-bicycles. “The low-cost Na-ion-based technologies would be cheap and are expected to reduce the cost of the e-cycles significantly,” said a government statement.
With further development, the price of the e-bicycles can be brought down to the range of Rs.10,000-15,000, making them nearly 25% cheaper than Li-ion storage technologies-based e-bicycles. Further, disposal of Na-ion-based batteries would be more environment-friendly.
Commercialization of this technology is under process and could be a gamechanger for countries like India that are on the cusp of a transition away from fossil fuels, reduced imports of which could make them register a trade surplus.
Send your comments to feedback@mddtimes.com
