Researchers revive centuries-old physics to build durable sodium batteries

Tuesday 03 - 14:10

By: Dakir Madiha

Researchers revive centuries-old physics to build durable sodium batteries

An international team of scientists has adapted a 270-year-old physics principle to develop a sodium-ion battery that endures more than 10,000 charge and discharge cycles, potentially reducing reliance on lithium for large-scale energy storage. The research, published in the journal Small, brought together experts from India’s IISER Bhopal and IIT Gandhinagar, Swansea University in the United Kingdom, and the University of Southern Queensland in Australia.

The process relies on the Leidenfrost effect, first described by German physician Johann Gottlob Leidenfrost in the 18th century. The phenomenon, known for causing water droplets to glide over hot surfaces, allowed the scientists to create porous, high-performance cathode materials without energy-intensive furnace steps. In their experiment, the researchers sprayed an iron-based phosphate-pyrophosphate solution onto a superheated plate. The rapid evaporation produced sponge-like particles that improved cathode durability and conductivity.

In addition to this innovative process, the team replaced about one percent of the iron atoms in the material with indium. This minor atomic substitution widened ion channels, enhancing sodium mobility and electrical performance without altering the crystal’s basic structure. Computer models confirmed that the design reduced energy barriers for ion movement. The resulting cathode achieved an energy density of about 359 watt-hours per kilogram and maintained stability through over 10,000 high-rate charge cycles, surpassing performance typically seen in conventional consumer batteries.

Because sodium is abundant in seawater and salt deposits, the breakthrough offers a cheaper and more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion technology. Scientists say such innovation could play a key role in grid-scale renewable energy storage. For India, which aims to install 500 gigawatts of renewable capacity by 2030, scalable sodium-ion batteries may help balance fluctuations in solar and wind supply.