Some batteries have been known to catch fire or explode at high temperatures or when under stress. This safety concern has pushed researchers to experiment with different ways to design safer batteries that can ideally still perform reliably and efficiently. Sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) are considered a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries, but still face safety risks, especially at high capacities. But now, a team of researchers in China has designed a new type of electrolyte for NIBs that may eliminate these risks, allowing for stable performance across a wide temperature range.

The main risk associated with batteries involves a process called thermal runaway. Thermal runaway is a rapid and uncontrolled increase in temperature that occurs when heat generation exceeds heat dissipation. This can lead to intense, self-sustaining fires or explosions that are exceptionally difficult to extinguish, release toxic gases, and can even reignite after being extinguished.

Some electrolytes are designed to be “nonflammable,” often by using phosphate esters or fluorinated compounds. However, most nonflammable electrolytes only prevent fire, and do not fully eliminate thermal runaway in large batteries. The team involved in the new study notes that the thermal stability of the electrolyte, the stability of the electrode–electrolyte interfaces and the interactions between the anode and cathode at high temperatures must be considered comprehensively when creating a truly safe battery that can resist thermal runaway.

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