BEIJING, November 5, 2026: Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed an aluminium-based catalyst that could significantly improve the lifespan, efficiency and stability of sodium-sulfur batteries, potentially paving the way for more affordable and durable energy storage technologies.
The research addresses a major challenge in sodium-sulfur batteries: the movement of sodium polysulfides away from the cathode during charging and discharging, which reduces battery performance and shortens its operational life.
According to the researchers, the newly developed catalyst modifies the atomic structure surrounding aluminium to improve chemical reactions inside the battery and limit performance deterioration over repeated charging cycles.
The research team replaced one oxygen atom with nitrogen in the aluminium coordination structure, creating a configuration known as Al–O3N.
This modification strengthened interactions between aluminium and sulfur, improving the speed and stability of electrochemical reactions within the battery.
Laboratory tests showed that the experimental battery retained a specific capacity of 1,196 milliampere-hours per gram after 100 charge-discharge cycles.
In extended testing, the battery completed 2,500 charging and discharging cycles, with researchers reporting a capacity degradation rate of just 0.017 percent per cycle.
The findings suggest that the aluminium-based catalyst could help overcome some of the limitations that have affected the development of long-lasting sodium-sulfur batteries.
Sodium-sulfur batteries are being investigated as an alternative energy storage technology because sodium and sulfur are relatively abundant materials.
However, maintaining stable performance over repeated charging cycles remains a major technical challenge, particularly when unwanted chemical reactions and the movement of polysulfides reduce battery efficiency.
By improving the interaction between the catalyst and sulfur compounds, the new approach could contribute to the development of batteries capable of delivering more consistent performance over longer periods.
The researchers also highlighted the potential cost advantages of using aluminium, a relatively inexpensive and widely available metal, instead of relying on costly materials in battery components.
The development could have implications for future energy storage applications, particularly where long operational life and affordable materials are important.
However, the reported results come from laboratory testing, and further research would be needed to establish whether the technology can deliver similar performance in commercially manufactured batteries.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences researchers believe the findings provide a promising direction for developing more durable and cost-effective sodium-sulfur energy storage systems.