Ceramic Anode Host Material for Confined Sodium Plating

• Grant number: 23/06275-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Ana Candida Martins Rodrigues
• Grantee: Ana Candida Martins Rodrigues
• Principal researcher abroad: Henry Auer
• Institution abroad: Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems, Germany
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Lilian Menezes de Jesus
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/08105-3 - Synthesis of sodium solid electrolytes, using the Flash-sintering technique., BP.TT

Abstract

Generation 5 Sodium-based batteries (SIB) are an emerging technology. They are safe, cost-effective, and rely on abundant elements and are thus an alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIB). However, their limited gravimetric but in particular volumetric energy density hinders them from becoming a lead technology for mobile energy storage. Efforts are still needed to improve energy and power density, fast-charging capability, and lifetime, as well as to reduce manufacturing costs and enable full recyclability. The project Ceramic Anode Host Material for Confined Sodium Plating - Na-CerAnode solves these issues by developing a porous substrate for sodium metal storage as a physical host anode. The design concept enables anodes with negligible volume change during cycling, a high specific capacity of 1000 mAh g-1, and high safety. The project furthermore develops advanced FLASH-sintering technology to reach high ionic conductivities on a component level of at least 0.5 mS cm-1 at a reduced energy and time demand. Interfacial surface design by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD-coating) enables fast charging at 5 C and a high sodium cycling efficiency for application as a zero excess ("anode free") sodium metal battery (SMB). The project is further aided by advanced operando characterization to clarify sodium nucleation and stripping/plating processes. To reach these targets, the project will develop and adapt tape-casting technology to sinter porous sodium-ion conductor substrates (TRL 2 à TRL 4), FLASH-sintering technology (TRL 1-2 à TRL 3), ALD coating of porous inner surfaces (TRL 2 à TRL 4) and demonstrate a full cell based on the physical anode concept (TRL 1 à TRL 3). It will furthermore address a circular economy (such as repair, remanufacturing, recycling) for batteries with the new anode material, derive a recycling concept based on LIB recycling, and provide a first techno-ecological analysis (TEA). The project is thus in line with sustainability and RRI requirements and will support open science. Na-CerAnode will provide support for the whole innovation chain. After validation of the Na-CerAnode concept at TRL 3-4, the economic risk associated with further development can be shouldered by companies i.e., the obtained knowledge can be transferred to subsequent joint research projects between academia and industry empowering European companies in the market of battery production. The project will support the European Green Deal by increasing attention to clean energy technologies and future batteries by proposing a next-generation battery principle, which avoids the use of rare and conflictive resources, such as lithium. The project also supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, in particular, SDG 7 ("Affordable and clean energy") by focusing on an energy storage technology that is both affordable by using abundant raw materials and clean through energy savings during production, by increasing long term stability and simplifying recycling strategies. This also contributes to socio-ecological benefits in the context of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) since the establishment of a sustainable energy storage infrastructure is of socio-ecological, ethical, and political dimensions. Na-CerAnode finally strengthens international cooperation and thus joins the technological and scientific potential of three participating countries/regions (Germany / Saxony, Slovakia, and Brazil / Sao Paulo) to increase the competitiveness of European and South America's science and economy. (AU)