Researchers from the Canepa Research Laboratory at the University of Houston, in collaboration with French institutions, have developed a new material – sodium vanadium phosphate (NA_xV₂(PO₄)₃), that improves the energy density of sodium-ion (Na-ion ) batteries as an alternative to lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for sustainable and cost-effective energy storage.

Sodium vanadium phosphate offers a higher operating voltage of 3.7 volts than the conventional 3.37 volts in existing materials. The increased voltage results in a 15% improvement in energy density, growing from 396 Wh/kg to 485 Wh/kg.

The material belongs to the Na Super Ionic Conductor family, known for its structural stability and high ionic conductivity. It can maintain a single-phase system during operation and delivers consistent energy output, ensuring better cycling performance and longer battery life.

The research, published in Nature Materials, stated that Na-ion batteries can be cheaper and easier to produce, helping reduce reliance on lithium and making battery technology more accessible.

The research team validated theoretical models with experimental results, creating a prototype demonstrating sodium vanadium phosphate’s superior performance.

Sodium-ion batteries are increasingly considered as an alternative to Li-ion batteries, specifically for large-scale energy storage systems and electric vehicles. The synthesis method used for sodium vanadium phosphate can be applied to other materials with similar chemical composition.

Researchers from Korea recently developed a high-energy, high-power hybrid Na-ion battery that can be a viable alternative to Li-ion batteries by combining anode and cathode materials.

In January this year, researchers from Australia and the U.S. developed a new type of aqueous Na-ion battery lasting over 13,000 charge cycles.

In December last year, KPIT Technologies introduced its Na-ion battery technology to alleviate lithium dependency in India’s energy storage sector. The technology aims to decrease reliance on imported core battery materials and be used for multiple applications within the automotive and mobility realms, specifically for electric two and three-wheelers and commercial vehicles.