OPTIMAL DESIGN OF SODIUM-ION BATTERIES VIA PHYSICS-BASED MATHEMATICAL MODELING

Abstract

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have emerged as a promising battery technology due to the abundance of sodium present in nature. However, their performance and electrochemical characteristics are still not well understood, and physics-based mathematical modeling can provide insights into the underlying physical and chemical processes to improve the already existing battery design technology. Herein, a physics-based, pseudo-two-dimensional (P2D) model for SIBs is developed considering Na3V2(PO4)2F3 (NVPF) and hard carbon (HC) as positive and negative electrodes, respectively. The model comprises partial differential equation and is solved using finite-element solver, Comsol Multiphysics. The model calibration was carried out by using the experimental data from the literature. The results of the P2D model showcase its integrity and accuracy in predicting the discharging profiles of the SIB under different operating conditions. A detailed parametric study followed by optimization has been performed using the developed P2D model, we investigate the effects of several parameters, including particle radius, solid-phase volume fraction, electrolyte-phase volume fraction, filler volume fraction, and electrode thickness on SIB, under different current rates (Crates). This research highlights the importance of creating a synchronization between battery design and battery operation to improve battery performance. Here, a number of significant issues with electrodes and electrolyte are revealed, highlighting several helpful design parameters that may be taken into account to enhance SIB performance.