Salt is in abundance on Earth. It can be found in our oceans, underground, and in our soil. It’s highly valuable to us because of sodium. Sodium shares many of the same characteristics with Lithium.
How is that possible?
Let’s take a step back. To simplify, all atoms have the same two parts. The nucleus (the core) and the electron cloud (the electron orbits). Now, sodium and lithium have a single electron in their outermost valence shell (you can call it the outer orbit). This configuration makes them highly reactive. When these electrons are involved in chemical reactions, such as those in batteries, they can move easily, which is crucial for the conduction of electricity.
In molten salt batteries, salts are melted to create a liquid electrolyte that facilitates the movement of ions, particularly sodium ions, between the battery's electrodes. This process enables the storage and release of energy. The use of sodium, instead of the more expensive and less abundant lithium offers a cost-effective alternative for large-scale energy storage solutions. Additionally, sodium-based systems can potentially offer better safety and thermal stability compared to their lithium counterparts.
