Sodium-ion batteries are made of materials similar in function to those used in lithium-ion batteries, but with sodium (Na⁺) ions as the charge carriers instead of lithium (Li⁺). Here's a breakdown of their typical components:
1. Cathode (Positive Electrode)
This is where sodium ions are stored during discharge.
Common cathode materials:
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Sodium manganese oxide (NaMnO₂)
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Sodium iron phosphate (NaFePO₄) — similar to LiFePO₄
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Sodium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NaNMC)
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Prussian Blue or Prussian White analogs — low-cost, fast-charging materials
2. Anode (Negative Electrode)
This is where sodium ions are stored during charging.
Common anode materials:
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Hard carbon — the most widely used anode material
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Tin (Sn)-based alloys
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Phosphorus or antimony-based materials
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Titanium-based oxides (e.g., NaTi₂(PO₄)₃)
Note: Graphite, widely used in lithium-ion batteries, does not work well with sodium due to its larger ionic size.
3. Electrolyte
The medium that allows sodium ions to move between the cathode and anode.
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Typically a sodium salt (like NaPF₆, NaClO₄) dissolved in an organic solvent (such as ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC))
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Some emerging designs use solid-state electrolytes
4. Separator
A porous membrane that keeps the anode and cathode from touching but allows ion flow.
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Usually made of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE)Summary Table:
| Component | Material Examples |
|---|---|
| Cathode | NaMnO₂, NaFePO₄, Prussian Blue |
| Anode | Hard Carbon, Tin, Phosphorus |
| Electrolyte | NaPF₆ in EC/DMC |
| Separator | Polypropylene or Polyethylene membrane |
Let me know if you want a comparison between sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries.
Post time: Jul-29-2025
