High power planar sodium-nickel chloride battery

Sodium-beta batteries (NBBs), which are typically constructed on a thick tubular electrolyte and operate at relatively high temperatures, have a number of disadvantages such as high capital cost and performance/safety issues that limit market penetration of the technology. In this work we report a new generation NBB that utilizes a planar design. The planar design allows for a thinner electrolyte that reduces the area of specific resistance and may be operated at reduced temperatures. The lower operating temperatures would alleviate adverse temperature effects that impact cycle life and overall cost. We here present recent progress generated from planar NBB button cells, including initial cell performance, cathode design and chemistry. ©The Electrochemical Society.