Water-boosted sodium-ion battery may retailer power and desalinate seawater
by Sophie Jenkins
London, UK (SPX) Oct 21, 2025
Scientists on the College of Surrey have found a easy but transformative solution to improve sodium-ion battery efficiency – by protecting the water inside a key electrode materials relatively than eradicating it. The discovering not solely improves battery effectivity however may additionally allow electrochemical desalination, turning seawater into drinkable water.
Sodium-ion batteries are thought of one of the crucial promising sustainable options to lithium-ion expertise, which depends on costly and environmentally dangerous supplies. Sodium is plentiful and cheap, however attaining comparable efficiency has lengthy been a problem.
Of their new research, revealed within the Journal of Supplies Chemistry A, the Surrey staff discovered {that a} frequent sodium-based compound – sodium vanadium oxide – performs much better when its pure water content material is preserved. The ensuing materials, known as nanostructured sodium vanadate hydrate (NVOH), saved almost twice the cost of typical sodium-ion supplies, charged extra rapidly, and maintained stability over 400 cost cycles.
“Our outcomes have been fully surprising,” mentioned Dr Daniel Commandeur, Analysis Fellow on the College of Surrey Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and lead creator of the research. “Sodium vanadium oxide has been round for years, and folks normally heat-treat it to take away the water as a result of it is thought to trigger issues. We determined to problem that assumption, and the result was much better than we anticipated. The fabric confirmed a lot stronger efficiency and stability than anticipated and will even create thrilling new prospects for the way these batteries are used sooner or later.”
The researchers additionally demonstrated that NVOH can function effectively in salt water, the place it eliminated sodium ions whereas a graphite electrode concurrently extracted chloride ions – a course of generally known as electrochemical desalination.
“With the ability to use sodium vanadate hydrate in salt water is a extremely thrilling discovery,” Dr Commandeur added. “It reveals sodium-ion batteries may do extra than simply retailer power – they may additionally assist take away salt from water. In the long run, which means we’d have the ability to design programs that use seawater as a totally secure, free and ample electrolyte, whereas additionally producing recent water as a part of the method.”
This advance may assist drive sodium-ion batteries towards large-scale, low-cost deployment, supporting the transition to greener power storage programs. By simplifying manufacturing and eliminating reliance on lithium, the strategy provides a sustainable path for purposes starting from renewable grid storage to electrical autos.
Analysis Report:Nanostructured sodium vanadate hydrate as a versatile sodium ion cathode material for use in organic media and for aqueous desalination
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