Lifeboat Foundation

Osaka Metropolitan University scientists have successfully developed a new positive electrode material Na₂FeS₂, consisting of sodium, iron, and sulfur. During testing, batteries using the Na₂FeS₂ positive electrode had a high energy storage capacity and could be charged and discharged for more than 300 cycles. Because the Na₂FeS₂ is made of abundant inexpensive elements, it is expected to be used in all-solid-state sodium batteries with higher capacity and lower costs.

The demand for high energy density rechargeable batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, increases every year, as society shifts toward becoming carbon neutral. Sodium-ion batteries—which have a resource advantage over lithium-ion batteries —are attracting more attention, as cheap new high-performance materials continue to be developed.

A research group led by Associate Professor Atsushi Sakuda, President Masahiro Tatsumisago, and Professor Akitoshi Hayashi, at the Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Metropolitan University, has successfully developed a new positive electrode, made of Na₂FeS₂, for all-solid-state sodium batteries. The batteries have a high energy storage capacity, high reversibility and use inexpensive elements that are readily available.