- The new polymeric material is called PHATN says the research
- PHATN worked best with sodium ions
According an article by bits-chips.nl, an international team of scientists have developed a polymeric battery cathode that works with a range of metal ions other than lithium. While conducting the research, the starting point was a material called HATN, which is known to bind cations and store them. HATN also tends to dissolve in electrolytes.
In order to solve this issue, the researchers from University of Maryland, linked many HATN units together to obtain an insoluble polymer. Further tests showed that the new polymeric HATN, or PHATN qualified as a good cathode material.
High voltages up to 3.5 volts
The research revealed that PHATN worked best with sodium ions and the sodium battery could be operated at high voltages up to 3.5 volts. It also maintained capacity of more than 100 milliampere hours per gram even after 50,000 cycles. After sodium, magnesium and aluminum came in second and third claims the report.
