UC San Diego: Tin anode drives sodium-ion battery beyond LFP energy density

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Tin anode drives sodium-ion battery beyond LFP energy density - International Tin Association

Researchers from UC San Diego and Unigrid Battery have developed a new tin-based anode that delivers record-breaking energy density for sodium-ion batteries, surpassing that of commercial lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells. Their simple yet powerful approach uses an almost pure tin electrode...

www.internationaltin.org

Researchers from UC San Diego and Unigrid Battery have developed a new tin-based anode that delivers record-breaking energy density for sodium-ion batteries, surpassing that of commercial lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells. Their simple yet powerful approach uses an almost pure tin electrode (99.5%) to achieve 178 Wh/kg and 417 Wh/L in full pouch cells.

Sodium-ion batteries are gaining traction as a sustainable alternative to lithium-ion systems, but their energy density has typically lagged behind. The anode material is often the limiting factor, as conventional hard carbon stores only around 300 mAh g⁻¹ of charge, restricting overall cell capacity.

To overcome this, researchers have turned to tin (Sn), which can form high-capacity Na–Sn alloys (~847 mAh g⁻¹). While tin anodes are known to face challenges such as large volume expansion and electrolyte incompatibility, the team discovered that only minimal modification was required for stable cycling.

The electrode contained over 99% active tin, with just 0.25% single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and 0.25% binder (CMC), which is enough to aid mixing and flexibility, while relying on tin’s own high conductivity to carry charge effectively.

Paired with a sodium chromium oxide (NaCrO₂) cathode, the pouch cells maintained around 90% capacity after 100 cycles with minimal resistance build-up. Microscopy revealed that the tin reorganised during cycling into a more uniform, interconnected structure, promoting even sodium distribution and suppressing degradation.

This study shows that tin anodes could elevate sodium-ion batteries to compete directly with today’s leading battery technologies.

To network with experts in the field of tin in sodium-ion batteries, and to learn more about the topic itself, please visit our technology platform Tin Valley.

Inventing the Future of Batteries​

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Bye Bye Lithium and Iron Phosphate batteries

No thermal runaway with sodium batteries...you can safely put large ones in your house.

Tin Anode Breakthrough: US Invents Sodium-Ion Battery That Beats LFP​

 

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https://www.ft.com/content/0e4814df-e102-4874-97d6-f2b0ffaeda6a?syn-25a6b1a6=1

West lags China on sodium battery tech - Miningmx

THE West has fallen behind China in developing sodium-ion batteries, a breakthrough technology using saltwater rather than lithium, industry experts have told the Financial Times. Researchers have found that retaining saltwater within the battery mix, allowing it to move between electrodes...

www.miningmx.com

West lags China on sodium battery tech​

THE West has fallen behind China in developing sodium-ion batteries, a breakthrough technology using saltwater rather than lithium, industry experts have told the Financial Times.

Researchers have found that retaining saltwater within the battery mix, allowing it to move between electrodes, significantly improves performance and could reduce dependence on Chinese-controlled metals used in lithium-ion cells for electric vehicles and backup power.

However, China leads sodium-ion cell manufacturing, with carmaker Changan developing the first mass-produced sodium-ion EV using cells from CATL, the sector’s dominant producer.

“The West has missed the boat,” said Max Reid of consultancy CRU Group, noting that scaling up production requires over $100m per plant – investment “we’re just seeing nothing of” outside China.

Several Western sodium-ion ventures have struggled, said the newspaper. California’s Natron Energy, backed by Mercuria, collapsed last year shortly after unveiling gigafactory plans, while Stanford spin-out Bedrock Materials also shut down, it said. Others, including GM, France’s Tiamat Energy and Germany’s Moll Batterien, are pressing ahead regardless.

China’s operating and planned sodium-ion capacity now exceeds 400 gigawatt hours, versus just 11 elsewhere, according to CRU. Altris CEO Christer Bergquist said major economies must decide whether they are comfortable depending on “batteries coming from a potential adversary.”

Sodium-ion cells are less energy-dense than lithium alternatives but perform better in extreme cold and could undercut them on price – UBS expects cost parity by 2027.

CATL has partnered with Dutch group Alfen to roll out sodium-ion storage systems across Europe from 2027, said the FT.

https://nai500.com/blog/2026/09/china-s-sodium-battery-lead-is-expanding-fast/

China’s Sodium Battery Lead Is Expanding Fast​