Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a sustainable alternative to conventional batteries, and German researchers have made a significant leap forward by developing a new wood-based Sodium-ion Battery. This innovative approach focuses on using lignin, a polymer found in wood waste, to create high-performance electrode materials for applications such as microcars and forklifts.
Turning Wood Waste into Battery Power
A team of scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS and Friedrich Schiller University Jena collaborated on the ThüNaBsE project. Supported by the Free State of Thuringia and the European Social Fund, their goal was to utilize lignin—normally considered industrial waste—as a crucial component of sodium-ion batteries. Lignin is a structural polymer that contributes to wood’s durability and rigidity. Its hydrocarbon composition can be thermally treated to produce hard carbon, which acts as the battery’s negative electrode.
“Harnessing high-quality lignin from local resources allows us to create efficient electrodes for sodium-ion batteries,” explained Lukas Medenbach, research scientist at Fraunhofer IKTS. The lignin-based hard carbon was found to offer excellent electrochemical properties and cycle stability, while also reducing production costs.
Innovative Materials for Enhanced Performance
In addition to lignin-derived hard carbon for the negative electrode, the battery’s positive electrode uses Prussian Blue analogs, which are non-toxic iron compounds. Originally discovered as pigments, these materials combine environmental friendliness with accessibility, forming an ideal pairing with bio-based carbon anodes. Cornelius Dirksen, PhD, from Fraunhofer IKTS, stated, “The hard carbon structure is highly suitable for reversible sodium ion storage, making it an excellent choice for this technology.”
Moreover, the team emphasized that using lignin from the wood industry ensures sustainability while eliminating the need for critical metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
Performance Results and Applications
Laboratory tests have demonstrated the batteries’ effectiveness. A pouch cell built with lignin-based hard carbon showed stable performance across 100 charge-discharge cycles. The team aims to finalize a full cell with a capacity of 1 Ah capable of completing 200 cycles by the end of the project.
Once developed further, these sodium-ion batteries will be ideal for low-power transportation, such as microcars with a top speed of 28 miles per hour, as well as for warehouse machinery like forklifts. Furthermore, the batteries are expected to serve in stationary energy storage systems, especially for applications where rapid charging isn’t essential.
Future Potential
With promising lab results, the scientists intend to scale up production. Advanced simulations and demonstrator cells are being tested at centers in Arnstadt, Hermsdorf, and Friedrich Schiller University Jena. The team aims to improve battery maturity levels by involving larger collaborations in subsequent development phases.
By transforming wood waste into sustainable energy storage solutions, this innovative approach is paving the way for greener alternatives in essential industries. Sodium-ion batteries based on renewable lignin demonstrate both environmental and economic advantages, making them an exciting addition to the energy sector’s portfolio.
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