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"... Because sodium ions are larger than lithium ions, fewer of them can squeeze into the anode to store charge, which means larger cells are needed to hold the same amount of power. Sodium batteries have struggled to reach even half the storage capacity of the best lithium batteries.
But new anodes and cathodes are showing signs of promise. For example, by adding tin to their carbon-based anodes, the San Diego-based startup UNIGRID has developed sodium-ion batteries that hold 170 Wh/kg. Although this remains less than the 200 Wh/kg of a low-end lithium battery, “it looks very exciting,” says sodium-ion battery expert Yan Yao.
Still, many experts remain cautious in suggesting that sodium-ion batteries are ready to go head-to-head with lithium. An analysis recently concluded that to be fully competitive with low-cost lithium-ion batteries, researchers will need several breakthroughs, including eliminating all the expensive materials sodium batteries currently require."
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