A research team at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) has developed a super-fast charging sodium-ion battery (SIB).

About Sodium Ion Battery

Sodium-ion batteries (Na-ion batteries) are a type of rechargeable battery that uses sodium (Na⁺) ions as the charge carriers instead of lithium ions.

Key Features of the Fast-Charging Sodium-Ion Battery

• Charging and Battery: The battery is based on a NASICON-type cathode and anode material, that can charge up to 80% in just six minutes and last over 3000 charge cycles.
  • NASICON-type materials have a three-dimensional framework, high ionic conductivity, and high thermal stability..
• Advanced Anode Material: Uses Na₁.₀V₀.₂₅Al₀.₂₅Nb₁.₅(PO₄)₃, optimised for high efficiency and speed. 
  • Nanoscale Engineering: Anode particles are shrunk to nanoscale for faster ion transport.
  • Carbon Coating: Improves electrical conductivity and battery stability.
  • Aluminium Doping: Enhances structural integrity and speeds up sodium-ion movement.
• High Safety Standards: Lower risk of fire and degradation compared to lithium-ion batteries.
• Cost-Effective: Sodium is cheap and abundantly available in India, unlike lithium which is scarce and largely imported.
• Eco-Friendly & Non-Geopolitical: Reduces reliance on imported lithium and minimizes environmental impact.
• Wide Applicability: Suitable for EVs, solar energy storage, rural electrification, and drones.

Reasons For Development Of Sodium-Ion Batteries

• Abundant and Cheap: Sodium is widely available and more affordable than lithium.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat : Reduces reliance on scarce, geopolitically sensitive materials like lithium and cobalt.
  • This is ideal for India to become self-reliant in energy storage technology—a key goal of the Indian government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.
• Ideal for Grid Use: Lower energy density is suitable for stationary storage in fixed locations like power stations.