Presentation Profile
Recent Advances and Testing Methods for Sodium-Based Batteries
Presentation Type: Poster
Currently Scheduled: 10/14/2026 - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Room: Exhibit Hall A4
Main Author
Raj Shah - Koehler Instrument Company, Inc.
- Aadi Shah - Koehler Instrument Company, Inc.
Abstract:
Sodium-ion batteries have entered commercial production for grid-scale and cost-sensitive storage, though the IEA puts 2025 output below 1% of lithium-ion. This review covers the main sodium chemistries, recent electrode, electrolyte and cell-design work, performance against lithium-ion, and the characterization and safety-test methods used. Room-temperature sodium-ion cells, which can be built on existing lithium-ion lines, pair layered-oxide, polyanionic or Prussian blue analogue cathodes with hard-carbon anodes. High-temperature sodium-sulfur and ZEBRA (Na-NiClâ‚‚) batteries work on a different principle, using molten electrodes and a beta-alumina solid electrolyte above 300 °C. Sodium-metal and solid-state cells remain experimental. Cell energy density depends on cathode voltage and capacity, electrode design and cell format, so published figures describe specific products, not the chemistry as a whole. The IEA places the best sodium-ion cells near 175 Wh/kg against up to 205 Wh/kg for lithium iron phosphate (LFP). CATL claims 175 Wh/kg, operation from −40 to 70 °C and more than 10,000 cycles for its Naxtra passenger cell, without published test conditions. Yao et al. modelled 6,000 scenarios and place parity with LFP in the 2030s, timing set by lithium prices, sodium-ion energy density and supply-chain shocks. Researchers study these cells with galvanostatic cycling, rate-capability tests, cyclic voltammetry, differential capacity analysis, impedance spectroscopy and the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT), none of which is a standardized qualification test. Operando synchrotron X-ray methods, electron microscopy, calorimetry and abuse testing cover structure, heat release and failure. Böttcher et al. drove one commercial cell type into thermal runaway at 30% state of charge under thermal abuse in an inert atmosphere, and argue that sodium-ion cells belong in the hazard-classification schemes written for lithium-ion.
