A new anode for sodium batteries was developed to solve the problem of dendrites

Currently, by far the biggest bane of various types of batteries is the problem of electrodes on which so-called dendrites “grow”. These initially reduce the capabilities of the links, and then completely break them, and even lead to serious failures. Scientists from the University of Texas at Austin, however, solved this problem by opting for a new anode for sodium batteries.

Scientists have solved a problem that plagued the anode of sodium batteries

Sodium batteries are promising because they do not contain heavy metals such as lithium and cobalt. Sodium itself is cheap and much more available, while promising a greener alternative, but all kinds of sodium batteries are plagued by the aforementioned problem of dendrites that tend to build up on the anode. So we are talking about this electrode that stores ions in a charged battery.

Also read: The Clearview AI facial recognition system patent has awakened some criticism

How to get rid of dendrites? It seems simple, and so scientists have decided that it is best to create it so that its structure is as “even” as possible. They used a composite material called antimony-teleur intermetallic sodium. This is made by stacking thin sheets of sodium metal, which are then rolled onto antimony telluride powder and folded. This process is repeated over and over to form the anode material and results in a very even distribution of sodium atoms, reducing the likelihood of dendrite formation.

Also read: Would Marsh’s Martian habitats be perfect here on Earth and made of plastic?

This composite material not only prevents the formation of dendrites but also improves the overall stability of the sodium batteries. Scientists note that it has a higher theoretical energy density than any existing sodium-ion anode and therefore could provide a finer capacity.