Sodium-ion battery breakthrough offers faster charging and improved safety over lithium-ion

Newly developed sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries could offer much faster charging speeds, higher energy density and improvements in safety compared with conventional lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, scientists say.

Using Na-ion batteries, an alternative to the Li-ion batteries found in the majority of today's devices, researchers at the Tokyo University of Science used a new carbon-based electrolyte to improve Na-ion energy density and charge speeds.

An innovative approach to battery materials could bring sodium-ion energy density and charging speeds far closer to those of lithium-ion, scientists say.