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First Look at Safety and Performance Evaluation of Commercial Sodium-Ion Batteries

Author

Listed:
  • Rachel Carter

    (Chemistry Division, US Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA)

  • Gordon H. Waller

    (Chemistry Division, US Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA)

  • Connor Jacob

    (Excet, Inc., A Precise Systems Company, Springfield, VA 22150, USA)

  • Dillon Hayman

    (Excet, Inc., A Precise Systems Company, Springfield, VA 22150, USA)

  • Patrick J. West

    (ASEE/NRL Postdoctoral Associate, Washington, DC 20375, USA)

  • Corey T. Love

    (Chemistry Division, US Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA)

Abstract

Herein, we investigate the performance and safety of four of the early-stage, commercial Na-ion batteries available in 2024, representing the most popular cathode types across research and commercialization: polyanion (Na-VPF), layered metal oxide (Na-NMF), and a Prussian blue analog (Na-tmCN). The cells deliver a wide range of energy density with Na-tmCN delivering the least (23 Wh/kg) and Na-NMF delivering the most (127 Wh/kg). The Na-VPF cell was in between (47 Wg/kg). Capacity retention under specified cycling conditions and with periodic 0 V excursions was the most robust for the Na-tmCN cells in both cases. Accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC) and nail penetration testing finds that Na-NMF cells do undergo thermal runaway in response to abuse, while the Na-VPF and Na-tmCN exhibit only low self-heating rates (<1 °C/min). During these safety tests, all cells exhibited off-gassing, so we conducted in-line FTIR equipped with a heated gas cell to detect CO, CO 2 , CH 4 , toxic acid gases (HCN, HF, NH 3 ), and typical electrolyte components (carbonate ester solvents). Gases similar to those detected during Li-ion failures were found in addition to HCN for the Na-tmCN cell. Our work compares different types of commercial Na-ion batteries for the first time, allowing for a more holistic comparison of the safety and performance tradeoffs for different Na-ion cathode types emerging in 2024.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel Carter & Gordon H. Waller & Connor Jacob & Dillon Hayman & Patrick J. West & Corey T. Love, 2025. "First Look at Safety and Performance Evaluation of Commercial Sodium-Ion Batteries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:3:p:661-:d:1580928
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mengya Li, 2023. "Elevating the Practical Application of Sodium-Ion Batteries through Advanced Characterization Studies on Cathodes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-17, December.
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