Lingnan scholars breakthrough fast-charging sodium batteries - findings published in leading international journal

2025-09-11 16:38 Last Updated At：16:42

Lithium batteries are widely used in electric vehicles and electronic products, but concerns are growing about their environmental impact during mining and disposal. Scholars from Lingnan University’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies and their collaborators have published a pioneering study online in top-tier, peer-reviewed, scientific journal Advanced Energy Materials. The study introduces a novel “anode-free sodium battery” that, by tuning the salt concentration in the electrolyte, reduces the risks of short circuits and shortened lifespan during fast charging. Laboratory tests have demonstrated that this new type of battery can be charged within minutes while maintaining safety and stability.

In recent years, the academic sector has actively explored anode-free sodium batteries (also known as reservoir-free sodium batteries) as a potential alternative to lithium batteries (Photo 1). A major barrier to commercialisation, however, has been the inherent softness of sodium, an alkali metal that makes these batteries prone to short circuits and rapid capacity loss under fast-charging conditions.

The joint research team from Lingnan University, Tsinghua University, and the Beijing Institute of Technology identified the critical step governing the stability of sodium batteries: the kinetics of sodium ion deposition. By increasing the electrolyte salt concentration appropriately, the team successfully shifted the deposition process from a diffusion-controlled mode to a charge-transfer-controlled mode (Photo 2), which minimises the risks of short circuits, thereby improving battery stability and lifespan. Additionally, since the fully discharged anode-free sodium battery contains no metallic sodium, production and transportation are safer.

Laboratory experiments confirm that increasing the electrolyte salt concentration ensures a better supply of sodium ions and enables smoother deposition. The critical current density for sodium deposition was enhanced to over 20 mA cm⁻², and the batteries demonstrated a fast-charging capability of 10C, completing charging within minutes, much faster than the typical 1C to 2C charging rate of commercial lithium-ion batteries. Moreover, the cells maintained over 70 per cent of capacity after 500 charge–discharge cycles.

The research team noted that this breakthrough provides valuable insights into the design of safe and stable anode-free sodium batteries, laying the groundwork for future applications. They hope to extend their findings beyond laboratory-scale prototypes to larger applications in electric vehicles, renewable energy storage such as wind and solar power, and consumer electronics.

Prof Li Liangliang, Associate Professor of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies at Lingnan University and co-corresponding author of the research paper , explained “Global society relies heavily on electric vehicles and electronics, yet lithium resources are limited, costly, and unevenly distributed, with extraction processes that damage land and water. Our new anode-free sodium battery replaces lithium with sodium, a more abundant and affordable resource. Sodium costs less than a tenth of lithium, is plentiful in seawater, and can significantly reduce the price of electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Its extraction is also simpler, more sustainable, and less environmentally damaging for the green economy.”

Prof Li Liangliang also pointed out that the research aligns with Hong Kong’s carbon neutrality and electric mobility goals, and that “This study responds to urgent global and local needs in energy transition. The technology has the potential to support greener and more affordable mobility solutions, while reducing dependence on imported lithium.”

Lingnan University has in recent years conducted interdisciplinary research and innovation projects addressing global challenges such as climate change and the clean energy transition. This collaborative research, combining expertise in materials science, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering, also follows United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals on “Affordable and Clean Energy” (SDG 7) and “Climate Action” (SDG 13).

Lingnan University to Confer Four Honorary Fellowships

Lingnan University will confer four honorary fellowships, recognising the outstanding professional achievements and valuable contributions to the community and the education sector of the distinguished recipients, Mr Chan Chun-ying, BBS, JP; The Hon Ip Kwok-him, GBM, GBS, JP; Mr Lam Tin-fuk, GBS, JP; and Mr Ng Leung-sing, SBS, JP, whose biographies follow:

Mr Chan Chun-ying's ancestral roots are in Xinhui, Guangdong. After completing primary and secondary school, he went on studying and earned his Chartered Secretary qualification and a Master of Business Administration from Northeast Louisiana University (later renamed the University of Louisiana at Monroe) in the US. He is a long-serving Fellow of the Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute.

After graduating, Mr Chan started work in the accounting department of the China Travel Service (CTS), conducting internal audits for its overseas branches. This was the beginning of his career with Hong Kong-based Chinese enterprises. Over the years, he received successive promotions, eventually rising to the position of Deputy General Manager of the CTS Overseas Department. In 1992, Mr Chan joined the Nanyang Commercial Bank, and was appointed as Deputy General Manager of the Bank in 2008. From 2011 to 2016, Mr Chan served as Board Secretary and Company Secretary to BOCHK Holdings Limited and the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, and is currently an advisor to the latter.

Mr Chan has consistently sought to improve his expertise through continuous learning and practice. He has completed executive management programmes at the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Columbia, Washington, Illinois, and Tsinghua. The year 2016 marked a turning point in his professional life, when he was elected a Legislative Council Member representing the Commercial functional constituency, and entered public office.

The Legislative Council was a decisive step in his commitment to giving back to society, and a major personal challenge. Guided by his absolute determination to serve citizens, Hong Kong, and the nation, Mr Chan overcame many obstacles and earned the trust of his fellow Council members. At the end of 2022, he was re-elected a member of the Seventh Legislative Council and, subsequently, Chairman of the Finance Committee, injecting and sustaining momentum into Hong Kong's journey "from stability to prosperity".

Mr Chan's personal integrity and professional experience align seamlessly with the deliberative spirit of the Legislative Council, making him a role model among leaders in Hong Kong society.

The Honourable Ip Kwok-him was born and grew up in Hong Kong, although his family was originally from Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. Mr Ip attended Hon Wah College in Hong Kong, and later graduated from South China Normal University. He then returned to Hon Wah College, where he taught for almost 20 years. Mr Ip entered politics in the 1980s, and engaged in community service with colleagues in the Central and Western District. In 1991, he was elected as a Central and Western District Councillor, embarking on an eventful decades-long career in District Council service.

In 1992, Mr Ip co-founded the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (later renamed the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, acronym DAB) to foster regional stability and development. He served as DAB vice-chairman from 1998 to 2009, establishing himself as a key figure in politics in the HKSAR.

Mr Ip was first elected to the Legislative Council in 1995, representing the Election Committee constituency in the final colonial legislature. During his legislative tenure, he was a member of the main public bodies, including the Urban Renewal Authority, and became known for his work organising and uniting the pro-establishment camp.

Mr Ip has served as an HKSAR Deputy to the National People's Congress for four consecutive terms (10th–13th), underscoring his central role not only in local governance but also as a bridge between the HKSAR and the central government. In 2016, he was appointed a non-official member of the Executive Council, where his extensive legislative experience and command of public affairs were valuable assets in policy discussions and in advising the government.

Besides his valuable service in the political arena, Mr Ip has demonstrated outstanding dedication to education, where he has played an important part in multiple levels of the sector including as Chairman of the Hon Wah Education Organisation, and School Superintendent of H.K.T.A. Shun Yeung Primary School. Mr Ip's contributions have been recognised with numerous prestigious awards, and in addition to being made a Justice of the Peace (JP), he received the Gold Bauhinia Star (GBS) in 2004 and the Grand Bauhinia Medal (GBM) in 2017, the highest honours conferred by the HKSAR.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Mr Lam Tin-fuk completed his early education here before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Computing Science from Imperial College, London. He began his life in public service as an Administrative Officer in the Hong Kong Government, and in 1986 he joined the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), embarking on a remarkable 28-year journey. Rising through the ranks to become Executive Director in 2004, he led an international team dedicated to creating opportunities for Hong Kong businesses.

In 2014, Mr Lam demonstrated his remarkable capacity for reinvention by making a direct transition to the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK). With the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) facing saturation, Mr Lam championed the Three-Runway System to secure Hong Kong SAR's future as an international aviation hub. He also introduced the transformative Airport City concept, which was given a new identity in January 2025 as SKYTOPIA, a brand designed to attract investment and talent. Recognising the importance of expertise, he also resolved to establish the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy in order to nurture the professionals who keep the skies safe and the economy vibrant.

When the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, Mr Lam's leadership stood out. He motivated the airport community, ensuring resilience while actively preparing for recovery. His initiative in giving away 500,000 air tickets free created worldwide goodwill and kept Hong Kong on the global tourism map. In June 2024, he was appointed Chairman of the AAHK.

Mr Lam was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star (GBS) by the HKSAR Government in recognition of his contribution to the development of the HKIA and aviation industry. Beyond these honours, Mr Lam is much admired for his integrity and for his core belief that great infrastructure must serve the community. His principles of being steadfast and responsible in every task are reflected in his dedication to the highest standards of safety, security, and environmental sustainability. This enthusiasm for responsible, value-creating modernisation resonates deeply with Lingnan University's liberal arts values and the University's commitment to serving society.

Mr Ng Leung-sing joined the Bank of China, Hong Kong Branch in 1967 and has spent 58 years in the financial sector, where he has dedicated his career to China through his financial and public service, and become a role model. His great expertise spans commercial banking, corporate strategy, and operational management, and has played a key role in the modernisation, consolidation, and presence of Chinese banks in Hong Kong. Mr Ng has been a director of the BOCHK Charitable Foundation since 1994 and, since 2009, Chairman of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Trustees Limited, demonstrating his talents and commitment as a leading figure in the banking industry.

Mr Ng's legislative service has been vital. Before and after Hong Kong's return to China, he served four terms as a Hong Kong deputy to the National People's Congress and four terms as a member of the Legislative Council. For over 20 years, he advised both the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, particularly on economic and financial policy. He chaired the Legislative Council's Finance Committee, overseeing government budget allocations for major infrastructure projects and fostering economic growth, but his diverse services have also included the Community Chest, the Hong Kong Housing Authority, the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications, and the Banking Advisory Committee. A passionate sportsman, Mr Ng was a torchbearer in the Hong Kong region for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Mr Ng has devoted his long career to education and served as a member of the Council and Court of Lingnan University, contributing significantly to the University's evolution with strategic foresight and a deep commitment to nurturing future generations, providing invaluable guidance during key phases of the University's development, and helping to steer its financial stability and academic growth. During his tenure as a director of the BOCHK Charitable Foundation, he promoted social welfare by advising on initiatives to fund education, healthcare, and community welfare. The Hong Kong SAR Government has made Mr Ng a Justice of the Peace and given him the Silver Bauhinia Star (SBS) in recognition of his contributions.