Low-cost sodium and magnesium batteries

Safety issues and fluctuation cost of raw materials for lithium-ion batteries are gradually exposed in their applications. Due to the abundance of sodium and magnesium salt reservoirs and reduced flammable liquid electrolytes, low-cost solid-state sodium and magnesium batteries are economical alternatives for future transportation and energy storage.  

Our group contributes by developing high-performance components for both systems. For magnesium-metal batteries, we investigate methods to stabilize thin magnesium anodes, such as regulating their plating/stripping morphology via overpotential control, and design novel composite cathodes for magnesium-sulfur (Mg-S) systems that utilize new conversion-type reaction pathways to enhance energy density. In the realm of solid-state sodium batteries, we focus on engineering the critical interface between the sodium metal anode and the solid electrolyte to enable stable, long-term cycling. 

Publication:

  • Li, P, R. Razaq and S. -H. Bo (2024). “Intercalation–Conversion and Displacement–Conversion Strategies in Magnesium–Sulfur Batteries” ACS Applied Energy Mater.
  • Tang, B., X. Yu, Y. Gao, S. H. Bo and Z. Zhou (2022).  “Positioning solid-state sodium batteries in future transportation and energy storage. ” Science Bulletin 67(21): 2149-2153.
  • Li, P., Z. T. Sun, Y Wang, R Razaq, Y. Gao and S. H. Bo (2022).  “Overpotential-Regulated stable cycling of a thin magnesium metal anode. ” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 14(27):31435-31447.
  • Razaq, R., P. Li, Y. Dong, Y. Li, Y. Mao and S. H. Bo (2020). “Practical energy densities, cost, and technical challenges for magnesium-sulfur batteries.” EcoMat 2(4).
  • Tang, B., P. W. Jaschin, X. Li, S. H. Bo and Z. Zhou (2020). “Critical interface between inorganic solid-state electrolyte and sodium metal.” Materials Today 41: 200-218.
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