Sodium-Ion Battery Materials

Sodium-ion battery (SIB or NIB) materials are driving a new wave of innovation, positioning SIBs as a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). While both technologies are built on similar intercalation chemistry, SIBs unlock unique advantages through their distinct cathode and anode materials, paving the way for safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective energy storage solutions.

In sodium-ion batteries, the cathode active materials is the critical source of Na⁺ ions and therefore dictates the overall energy density, cycle life, and performance of the cell. During charging, sodium ions are deintercalated from the cathode and stored in the anode, then reinserted during discharge to deliver power. Because Na⁺ ions have a larger ionic radius than Li⁺, the development of optimized cathode materials is critical for advancing SIB technology. High-performance cathode materials designed for sodium-ion systems enable stable ion diffusion pathways, robust structural integrity, and higher operating voltages

Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) provide a versatile and low-cost platform for sodium-ion battery cathodes thanks to their open framework for Na⁺ transport. Prussian white offers an optimized, fully sodiated structure with higher capacity and better stability. Together, they form one of the most promising families of cathode materials for large-scale, low-cost sodium-ion energy storage applications.