Alloy Anode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Sodium-ion batteries could one day be an inexpensive alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Many challenges need to be overcome before commercialization of a sodium-ion battery can take place. One of these challenges is the development of an energy dense anode material with good cycle life. This work explores the electrochemical and structural properties of candidate alloy anode materials. After a method was developed for the construction of sodium half-cells, sodium insertion in silicon, tin, lead and bismuth was tested by in-situ x-ray diffraction. An active/inactive nanocomposite of tin was made to optimise the cycle life of tin anodes.