University of Surrey scientists nearly double sodium-ion battery power by keeping water
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University of Surrey researchers find that sodium vanadium oxide batteries perform far better when water naturally present in the material is left intact. The hydrated material stores nearly twice as much charge as typical sodium-ion materials, according to a study published August 1 in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A. The discovery challenges the standard practice of drying battery components to avoid moisture damage.
The Water Effect
University of Surrey researchers tested a form of sodium vanadium oxide called nanostructured sodium vanadate hydrate (NVOH). They found that leaving the water molecules embedded in the material’s structure, rather than heating it out, nearly doubled the charge storage capacity compared to typical sodium-ion materials. The hydrated NVOH also charged faster and remained stable for more than 400 charge cycles in laboratory tests.
Desalination Potential
The study suggests that sodium-ion batteries could one day serve a dual purpose: storing energy while helping remove salt from seawater. The material’s water-containing structure may interact with salt ions during operation, opening a path toward energy-efficient desalination. While still at the experimental stage, the concept could reduce costs in regions facing both water scarcity and grid-storage needs.
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