Sodium-Beta Alumina Batteries: Status and Challenges

Journal Article · Sun Sep 05 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · JOM. The Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, 62(9):31-36

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-010-0132-5· OSTI ID:991071

Lu, Xiaochuan; Lemmon, John P; Sprenkle, Vincent L; Yang, Zhenguo

Sodium-beta alumina batteries, have been extensively developed for a few decades and encouraging progress has been achieved so far. The anode is typically molten sodium while the cathode can be molten sulfur (Na-S battery) or solid transition metal halides plus a liquid phase secondary electrolyte (e.g., ZEBRA battery). The electrolyte typically used is a β"-Al2O3 solid membrane. The issues prohibiting broad commercialization of this type of technology are dependent on the materials used, but can be broadly described as relatively high cost, safety (particularly for the Na-S couple), and low power. This paper offers a review on materials and designs for the batteries and discusses the challenges ahead for further technology improvement.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 991071
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-74345; 650103000; TRN: US201020%%688
• Journal Information: JOM. The Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, 62(9):31-36, Vol. 62, Issue 9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
SODIUM-SULFUR BATTERIES
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
ELECTROLYTES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
Sodium-beta alumina battery
β"-Al2O3 solid electrolyte
Sodium
Sulfur
Transition metal chloride