Sodium trithiocarbonate cathode for high-performance sodium–sulfur batteries

Abstract

The high abundance and low cost of sodium and sulfur make room-temperature sodium-sulfur (RT Na-S) batteries an attractive technology compared to the current lithium-ion batteries for large-scale grid-storage applications. However,...

Research on Wide-Temperature Rechargeable Sodium-Sulfur Batteries: Features, Challenges and Solutions

“…The Na-S battery story goes back to the 1960s when sodium and sulfur operating in the molten state in the temperature range of 300–350 °C were scheduled and advanced for stationary energy storage owing to their natural abundance and low cost [ 7 ], as well as their stability over long periods of cycling [ 8 ]. Normally, Na-S batteries operate at high temperatures above 300 °C to maintain the state of the melt of the sulfur cathode and sodium anode [ 9 ] and the high ion conductivity of the beta-alumina electrolytes to achieve adequate energy densities and power ( Table 1 ) [ 10 ].…”

“…Normally, Na-S batteries operate at high temperatures above 300 °C to maintain the state of the melt of the sulfur cathode and sodium anode [ 9 ] and the high ion conductivity of the beta-alumina electrolytes to achieve adequate energy densities and power ( Table 1 ) [ 10 ]. However, the high operating temperatures and reactive character of Na and S in the molten state pose significant challenges in terms of lifetime, safety and maintenance, and over the past decade [ 11 ], room-temperature Na-S battery systems have been pursued as a promising substitute for both stationary grid storage as well as transport applications [ 8 ].…”

Na2S Cathodes Enabling Safety Room Temperature Sodium Sulfur Batteries

“…Later on, it was successfully commercialized by NGK Insulator Ltd since 2003. [28][29][30][31] However, the high operating temperature above 300 °C not only increases the operating cost, but also brings certain safety risks. [32][33][34] Moreover, the final discharge product of high temperature Na/S battery is Na 2 S 3 , and thus its theoretical energy density is 760 Wh kg À 1 .…”

“…In actuality, the Na‐S battery initially emerged as the energy storage system more than half a century ago when the concept of the first‐generation molten Na‐S battery, designed to operate at a high temperature (300~350 °C), was proposed in the 1960s. Later on, it was successfully commercialized by NGK Insulator Ltd since 2003 [28–31] . However, the high operating temperature above 300 °C not only increases the operating cost, but also brings certain safety risks [32–34] .…”