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April 1, 2026Materials and Interfaces0 citationsOpen Access

Rational Electrolyte Formulation for Sodium Metal Batteries Operating in Extremely Cold Environments

PWPei WangCWChuanlong WangWLW. Li

Key Points

  • This study aims to develop an electrolyte formulation for sodium metal batteries that performs effectively in extreme cold environments.
  • Formulated a thermally stable electrolyte for sodium metal batteries designed to operate down to −150 °C.
  • Tested the electrolyte performance at −40 °C and −80 °C with sodium metal electrodes.
  • Evaluated long-term cycling stability and Coulombic efficiency against Na3V2(PO4)3 cathodes.
  • Achieved a low overpotential of 16 mV at −40 °C over 750 hours at 1 mA cm−2.
  • Demonstrated stability with a low overpotential of 54 mV at −80 °C over 1500 hours at 0.5 mA cm−2.
  • Obtained a Coulombic efficiency exceeding 99.1% and capacity retention over 83% after 100 cycles at both −40 °C and −80 °C.

Abstract

Sodium metal batteries have shown considerable potential when operated at ambient temperatures. However, their performance in cold environments is constrained by increased electrolyte resistance with decreasing temperature and dendritic sodium plating associated with unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), which are primarily influenced by the electrolyte composition. In this study, we present an electrolyte formulation that remains thermally stable down to −150 °C, which not only facilitates low internal resistance but also contributes to the formation of a protective SEI under cryogenic conditions. When cycled at −40 °C at 1 mA cm−2, the sodium metal electrode exhibits a low overpotential of only 16 mV over 750 h; even at an ultra-low temperature of −80 °C, the electrode demonstrates remarkable long-term stability with a low overpotential of 54 mV sustained over 1500 h at 0.5 mA cm−2. Furthermore, full cell evaluations when paring with Na3V2(PO4)3 cathode reveal a high average Coulombic efficiency exceeding 99.1% and a capacity retention over 83% after 100 cycles at both −40 °C and −80 °C.

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Cite This Study

Wang et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69cd7e935652765b073a98d1https://doi.org/10.53941/mi.2026.100007
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