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New polymer electrolyte helps sodium batteries retain 90% capacity after 1,000 cycles

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New polymer electrolyte helps sodium batteries retain 90% capacity after 1,000 cycles

Researchers in South Korea have developed a polymer-based electrolyte that could make sodium-metal batteries safer and more durable. In tests, the electrolyte delivered an ionic conductivity of 1.39 mS/cm at 30°C, while a battery using it retained 90.4 percent of its capacity after 1,000 charge cycles.

The electrolyte was developed by a team led by Professor Chan-Jin Park at Chonnam National University. It uses a polymerizable deep eutectic solvent (PDES), designed to improve sodium-ion movement while addressing safety and stability problems that have limited the practical use of sodium-metal batteries.

Sodium-metal batteries are being studied as potential alternatives to lithium-ion systems because sodium is abundant and relatively inexpensive. However, sodium metal is highly reactive, and its interaction with conventional liquid electrolytes can cause unwanted chemical reactions and uneven metal deposits called dendrites. These deposits can damage the battery and increase the risk of short circuits.

The researchers designed the new electrolyte to tackle these problems by combining efficient ion transport with a more stable, solid-like structure.

The PDES electrolyte contains sodium perchlorate (NaClO4), N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and succinonitrile (SN). Together, these ingredients form a deep eutectic solvent, a liquid mixture whose components interact through forces such as hydrogen bonding and ion-dipole interactions.

The team then used in-situ polymerization to turn the mixture into a more robust polymer matrix. This process helps prevent the electrolyte from leaking while retaining the properties needed for sodium-ion movement.

Each component serves a different purpose. Sodium perchlorate supplies sodium ions, while NIPAM helps separate the ions and forms the polymer structure.


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