Executive Summary : | The demand for electrical energy is increasing due to the massive utilization of energy in various sectors, with agriculture accounting for 17.89% of global energy consumption. India's power demands are currently met by fossil fuels (75%), renewable energy resources (21%), and other sources (4%). The use of fossil fuels has severe impacts on global warming and climate change. To transition towards renewable energy resources, low-cost intermittent energy storage devices like sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) are needed. Sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) can be suitable for stationary large-scale energy storage applications, such as Smart grids. The performance characteristics and costs of NIBs largely depend on cathode materials, with layered transition metal oxides (NaxMO2) being promising due to their high theoretical capacity, ease of synthesis, suitable operating voltage, and large-scale production. However, achieving low-cost, high voltage, air-stable, and practical cathode materials remains challenging. This proposal proposes P2-type Na-Ni-Mn-O systems with high Na-content to achieve high energy density cathode materials. The high Na-content P2-type cathodes with dual doping of alkali-ion (Li+) and metal cations (Cu2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, and Ti4+) will enhance structural stability and electrochemical performances. The aim is to show the practical viability of the materials by making pouch cells and testing them for applications. Designing new air-stable layered metal oxides with proper composition of alkali-ions and metal cations could pave the way for commercializing NIBs for various stationary/mobile applications. |