January 4, 2021
Journal Article

High Performance Sodium-Sulfur Batteries at Low Temperature Enabled by Superior Molten Na Wettability

Abstract

Reducing the operating temperature of molten sodium-sulfur batteries (~350 °C) is critical to create safe and cost-effective devices for large-scale energy storage. By raising the surface treatment temperature with lead acetate trihydrate, we can significantly improve sodium wettability on ß"-Al2O3 solid electrolyte at a low temperature of 120 °C, previously unattained. In turn, the Na S cell can reach a capacity as high as 520.2mAh/g and stable cycling over 1000 cycles at 120 °C, which is slightly higher than the melting point of sodium (98 °C). Analyzing surfaces treated at different temperatures, the deposited Pb particles show similar morphologies but distinct compositions, inferring a strong correlation between passivation and performance.

Revised: January 7, 2021 | Published: January 4, 2021

Citation

Li M.M., X. Lu, X. Zhan, M.H. Engelhard, J.F. Bonnett, E. Polikarpov, and K. Jung, et al. 2021. "High Performance Sodium-Sulfur Batteries at Low Temperature Enabled by Superior Molten Na Wettability." Chemical Communications 57, no. 1:45-48. PNNL-SA-157242. doi:10.1039/D0CC06987F