Everything You Wanted to Know About Sodium-Ion Batteries

From Lithium-Ion to Sodium-Ion Batteries: A New Era in Battery Technology

As the demand for energy storage continues to rise, sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) are gaining momentum as a compelling alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Leveraging more abundant and cost-effective materials, NIBs are especially well-suited for low-speed electric vehicles—where range is less critical and affordability is key—as well as for renewable energy systems and other large-scale applications. Here’s why sodium-ion technology is drawing increasing interest:

1. Cost-effective & abundant materials

Sodium is far more abundant and significantly cheaper than lithium. This makes NIBs highly attractive for large-scale use, particularly where affordability and raw material availability are key concerns, such as in grid storage and renewable integration.

2. Environmentally friendly

Sodium is easier to extract and process, which results in a smaller environmental footprint. NIBs align well with global efforts to transition toward cleaner, more sustainable energy technologies.

3. Safety & stability

NIBs offer better thermal stability than LIBs. They can safely be discharged to zero volts and use thermally stable sodium salts that generate fewer hazardous byproducts. Their slower heating rates and delayed self-heating under stress conditions make them a safer option, particularly in high-temperature or abusive environments.

4. Cold climate performance

Unlike LIBs, Na-ion cells consistently maintain performance in cold temperatures. They are less prone to electrolyte freezing and capacity loss, making them ideal for use in harsh environments.

How do Sodium-Ion Batteries Work?

Sodium-ion (NIBs) operate on electrochemical principles similar to LIBs. During charging, Na⁺ ions move from the cathode to the anode; during discharge, they travel back to the cathode. This process closely resembles the ion movement in LIBs, as illustrated in Figure 1. The materials, however, differ. A typical Na-ion battery includes:

• Cathode: Common materials include layered metal oxides, polyanionic compounds, or Prussian blue analogs.
• Anode: Hard carbon is widely used due to its structural stability and compatibility with sodium.
• Electrolyte: Sodium salts like NaPF₆ or NaClO₄ in carbonate solvents.
• Separator: Same as in LIBs—allows Na-ion transfer while preventing short circuits.
• Current collectors: Aluminum is used for both anode and cathode, lowering material costs compared to copper-based Li-ion systems.

Figure 1. Schematic view of Na-ion battery

What are the Key Challenges Facing Sodium-Ion Battery Technology?

While sodium-ion technology is promising, it still faces several technical challenges before achieving widespread commercialization:

• Lower energy density: NIBs typically offer energy densities between 100-160 Wh/kg, which is lower than that of LIBs. This makes them less ideal for high-performance electric vehicles or aerospace applications, in which compact size and high energy-to-weight ratios are required.
• Cycle life: Sodium ions are larger and heavier than lithium ions, which causes more mechanical stress during cycling and leads to faster material degradation. Improving cycle durability is essential for NIBs to compete in long-term applications.
• Scaling production: As NIBs are still in the early stages of mass production, improving process efficiency and developing industry standards are key to driving down costs and accelerating adoption.
• Lower operating voltage: NIBs generally operate at lower voltages, reducing energy output per cell, and often requiring more cells in series.

How to Model Sodium-Ion Batteries using GT-AutoLion

At Gamma Technologies, we are enabling the advancement of Na-ion technology through high-fidelity electrochemical simulation with GT-AutoLion. Using a robust pseudo-2D (P2D) framework, GT-AutoLion allows users to simulate Na-ion cells with detailed physics-based models that help optimize performance, thermal behavior, and safety.

To illustrate sodium-ion behavior, AutoLion-1D includes an example model based on NVPF/hard carbon chemistry. Figure 2 shows the calibration of this model against experimental data at different C-rates.

Figure 2. Experimental validation of GT-AutoLion Na-ion battery model at different C-rates

The Future of Sodium-Ion Battery Technology

While LIBs dominate the market, NIBs are emerging as a strong competitor, especially in applications where cost, resource availability, and safety are top priorities. With strengths in large-scale energy storage and reliable cold-weather performance, NIBs represent a promising alternative for the future.

Rapid progress in NIB research is improving their performance and durability. Physics-based simulation tools like GT-AutoLion are essential for bridging the gap between NIBs and LIBs by helping engineers design safer, more efficient, and higher-performing NIBs for real-world use.

Ready to shape the future of energy storage? With GT-AutoLion, you can refine your NIB designs and stay ahead in this fast-evolving market. We’re here to support your journey and help push the boundaries of innovation in energy storage.

At Gamma Technologies, our GT-SUITE and GT-AutoLion simulations provide battery engineers and designers robust solutions for modeling and predicting battery performance throughout its lifecycle. Enjoy reading our battery-focused technical blogs to learn more and  contact us to see how Gamma Technologies can support your battery development goals.

References

[1] Yu, Dandan, et al. “Low‐Temperature and Fast‐Charge Sodium Metal Batteries.” Small 20.30 (2024): 2311810.
[2] Zhao, Lina, et al. “Engineering of sodium-ion batteries: Opportunities and challenges.” Engineering 24 (2023): 172-183.
[3] Iwan, Agnieszka, et al. “The Safety Engineering of Sodium-Ion Batteries Used as an Energy Storage System for the Military.” Energies 18.4 (2025): 978.