Innovation
Leaving Water in Sodium-Ion Batteries Nearly Doubles Their Energy Storage
University of Surrey researchers have discovered that keeping water in sodium-ion battery cathodes nearly doubles their energy storage capacity. The counterintuitive finding upends conventional wisdom that water must be removed from battery materials during manufacturing.
Key Takeaways
- Keeping water in sodium-ion battery cathodes nearly doubles energy storage capacity
- Water expands cathode layers, giving sodium ions more room to move during charging
- Hydrated batteries maintained stability for over 400 charge cycles
- Material also works as a desalination electrode, potentially producing fresh water
- Could lower manufacturing costs by eliminating energy-intensive drying steps
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