Sodium Batteries as Alternatives to Lithium-Ion Batteries
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Kevin Mata
College:
The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Major:
Chemistry
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Matthew Mongelli, Subhasish Chatterjee
Abstract:
In a quest to further increase the sustainability and use of batteries, chemists have ventured from the common lithium-ion battery. Storing energy for later use is a crucial part of day-to-day life; increasing in use as the world opts for more technological advances, the need for these batteries also increases. While lithium batteries are recycled and the components are reused, the need for raw materials, such as lithium, is still increasing and becoming harder to obtain. In search of alternatives, chemists have derived a potential candidate consisting of sodium instead of lithium, which is a much more abundant resource, such as ocean salt. As such, extensive tests had to be performed to compare the two batteries to consider it a viable alternative. Energy capacity, energy loss, temperature, lifespan, recyclability, safety, and waste are some of the few things that must be considered. Sodium batteries are the leading potential alternative to lithium-ion batteries.