Sodium-beta Alumina Batteries: Status and Challenges

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · Journal of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-010-0132-5· OSTI ID:1211522

Lu, XC; Lemmon, JP; Sprenkle, V; Yang, ZG

This paper provides a review of materials and designs for sodium-beta alumina battery technology and discusses the challenges ahead for further technology improvement. Sodium-beta alumina batteries have been extensively developed in recent years and encouraging progress in performance and cycle life has been achieved. The battery is composed of an anode, typically molten sodium, and a cathode that can be molten sulfur (Na-S battery) or a transition metal halide incorporated with a liquid phase secondary electrolyte (e.g.. ZEBRA battery). In most cases the electrolyte is a dense solid beta ''-Al(2)O(3), sodium ion-conducting membrane. The issues' prohibiting widespread commercialization of sodium-beta alumina technology are rekited to the materials and methods of manufacturing that impact cost, safety, and performance characteristics.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)
• OSTI ID: 1211522
• Journal Information: Journal of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society, Vol. 62, Issue 9; ISSN 1047-4838
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English