Researchers in China have developed a promising new design for solid-state sodium batteries using a tin-based interlayer to solve long-standing performance problems. The approach combines a newly formulated solid electrolyte with a thin layer of indium tin oxide (ITO) – a conductive material made partly from tin – that improves battery performance.
Solid-state batteries replace flammable liquid electrolytes with solid ones, making them safer and more stable. However solid-state sodium batteries face a big hurdle: the solid electrolyte often struggles to conduct sodium ions efficiently, and the interface between the electrolyte and sodium metal can be unstable.
To overcome this, scientists developed a multi-cation doped NASICON (Na super ionic conductor) electrolyte, which is a ceramic material that allows sodium ions to move through it. By adding zinc, magnesium, and scandium into its structure, they boosted the material’s ionic conductivity by 10 times to 4.24 mS/cm.
But it’s the addition of indium tin oxide (ITO) that really stands out. Applied as an ultrathin layer between the electrolyte and sodium metal, ITO smooths the contact surface and helps sodium spread evenly, preventing dangerous growths called dendrites that can short-circuit a battery. Due to the ITO coating, the battery could operate reliably for over 1700 hours at high currents, with no signs of failure.
ITO is already widely used in modern technologies. It’s the transparent, conductive layer found in most touchscreens, LED displays, and many types of solar cells.
This study adds solid-state sodium batteries to ITO’s growing list of applications, demonstrating how tin is enabling innovation across multiple sectors of the clean technology landscape.
For more breakthroughs in tin innovation, visit Tin Valley, your hub for the future of tin technology.
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