Overview

Current lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology is limited in terms of energy capacity, charging speed, and manufacturing cost. We have invented new alluaudite compounds for use as cathode materials for sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries, which will enable large-scale battery applications that are naturally abundant and sustainable.

 Market Opportunity

The demand for batteries with more efficient energy storage systems is driving the development of batteries with higher energy density, increased depth of discharge, longer life cycles, and lighter, more flexible forms. Most current research focuses on Li-ion batteries because they have higher energy density than other types of rechargeable batteries, as well as negligible memory effect. Li-ion battery technology, however, is limited in terms of energy capacity, charging speed, and manufacturing cost. In addition, the increasing costs and potential geopolitical constraints on lithium reserves make Li-ion batteries unsuitable for large-scale energy storage applications. There is therefore a need for large-scale battery applications that are both naturally abundant and sustainable.

Innovation and Meaningful Advantages

We have developed new alluaudite compounds for use as cathode materials for Na-ion batteries. The compounds have a reversible capacity, good cycling performance, and excellent rate capability. Na-ion batteries are potentially an excellent alternative to Li-ion batteries. The raw materials for Na-ion batteries are more abundant than those of Li-ion batteries, and the large-scale energy storage of Na-ion batteries is safer and less detrimental to the environment than that of equivalent Li-ion batteries. Na-ion batteries promise to be less expensive than Li-ion batteries, as the raw materials for Na-ion batteries are far more abundant than those of Li-ion batteries. Moreover, Na-ion compounds exist in a variety of novel intercalation structures that are not found as Li-ion compounds. Our compounds can be prepared using hydrothermal processes.

Collaboration Opportunity

We are interested in exploring 1) startup opportunities with investors; 2) collaborations with leading research companies; and 3) licensing opportunities with research companies.

Principal Investigator

IP Information

Publications

Liu D and Palmore TR. Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Electrochemical Properties of Alluaudite Na1.702Fe3(PO4)3 as a Sodium-Ion Battery Cathode. ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2017-06-01;5(7): 5766–5771. doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.7b00371.

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