First, let me say; "I believe the future for AEV is...

First, let me say; "I believe the future for AEV is encouraging",

A video you may be interested in about "Sodium-iron batteries.

China’s MOST ADVANCED Battery Will Destroy The EV Industry! (youtube.com)

I asked AI the question; "Could a "Phosphate-iron cathode", compete with a "Sodium-iron cathode", in an EV battery.

Certainly! Let’s explore the comparison between phosphate-iron cathodes and sodium-iron cathodes in electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

1. Sodium-Iron Cathodes (Na-Fe Cathodes):

   • Sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) use sodium ions (Na⁺) as charge carriers in their cathodes.
   • Na-Fe cathodes are made from iron-based materials, such as NaFeO₂, which contains the Fe³⁺/Fe⁴⁺ redox pair.
   • Advantages:
     • Natural Abundance: Sodium is abundant, particularly in saltwater.
     • Cost-Effective: Cobalt, copper, and nickel are not required for Na-Fe batteries.
     • Similar Chemical Properties: Sodium belongs to the same group as lithium in the periodic table, resulting in similar chemical properties.
   • Disadvantages:
     • Slower Intercalation Kinetics: Na⁺ ions have slower intercalation kinetics compared to Li⁺ ions.
     • Lower Cycle Durability: Existing NIBs have a cycle life of around 5,000 cycles, lower than commercial lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) batteries (8,000-10,000 cycles) ¹.
   • Commercialization Status: While sodium-ion accumulators are used for fixed electrical grid storage, vehicles with sodium-ion battery packs are not yet widely available. However, companies like CATL have started mass production of sodium-ion batteries ².

2. Phosphate-Iron Cathodes (Li-Fe Cathodes):

   • Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) batteries are commonly used in EVs.
   • Advantages:
     • High Safety: LiFePO₄ cathodes are stable and have excellent thermal stability.
     • Long Cycle Life: LiFePO₄ batteries can withstand thousands of charge-discharge cycles.
     • Good Rate Capability: They perform well even at high charge/discharge rates.
   • Disadvantages:
     • Lower Energy Density: LiFePO₄ batteries offer lower energy density compared to some other lithium-ion chemistries.
     • Higher Cost: While the cost has decreased over time, LiFePO₄ batteries are still relatively more expensive.
   • Commercialization Status: LiFePO₄ batteries are widely used in EVs due to their safety and cycle life.

3. Competition and Application:

   • Both Na-Fe and Li-Fe cathodes compete for applications such as backup inverter power and electric vehicles ³.
   • For EVs, LiFePO₄ batteries remain popular due to their established track record, safety, and long cycle life.
   • NIBs are still in the process of commercialization, but they offer the advantage of using abundant and cost-effective sodium.

In summary, while Na-Fe cathodes have potential advantages, including natural abundance and cost-effectiveness, Li-Fe cathodes (LiFePO₄) currently dominate the EV market due to their safety and proven performance. However, as sodium-ion technology continues to develop, it may become a viable competitor in the future. ²³¹