New Age Batteries: Recent Breakthroughs in Sodium-Ion Battery Technology

In this race to a decarbonized energy landscape, sodium-ion batteries have been pursued as a sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries. The abundance of the element, reduced production costs, and smaller impact on the environment compared to Li make SIBs a possible solution for large-scale energy storage. This work focuses on the current main components of SIBs, which include cathodes like layered transition metal oxides and Prussian blue analogues, and some state-of- the-art materials such as lithium-doped tunnel-type cathodes. Anodes include disodium terephthalate/multi- walled carbon nanotube composites and flash-pyrolyzed coal char that are discussed for the enhancement of their sodium storage capabilities. The performance assessment due to these different electrolytes is presented, among which are ethyl acetate-based ones and some solid-state NASICONs. Although challenges such as the low energy density and dendrite formation exist, ongoing research focuses on enhancing the lifespan, safety, and cost- effectiveness of SIBs so that broad adoption in a sustainable energy storage solution is achieved.