Comparative life cycle assessment of Fe2O3-based fibers as anode materials for sodium-ion batteries

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) potentially represent a more sustainable, less expensive and environmentally friendly alternative to lithium-ion batteries. The development of new low-cost, non-toxic, highly performing electrode materials is the key point for the SIB technology advances. This study develops a basic life cycle assessment (LCA) model for the evaluation of the production by electrospinning of iron (III) oxide-based fibers to be used as anode materials in SIBs. Indeed, it has been recently demonstrated that electrospun silicon-doped iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3) fibers exhibit outstanding electrochemical properties and gravimetric capacities never achieved before for pure Fe2O3-based anodes. The LCA methodology is utilized in order to analyze the environmental burdens (from raw material extraction to manufacturing process) of these electrode materials. The simplified comparative LCA studies, conducted to assess the environmental impacts associated with the electrospun Fe(2)O(3)and Fe2O3:Si fibers at the same cell performance, demonstrate that the Si-doped anode material, which exhibits better electrochemical performance with respect to the undoped one, has also lower impact for each category of damage, namely human health, ecosystem quality and resources.

Automated summary

Sodium-ion batteries, seen as a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries, require the development of low-cost, non-toxic, high-performance electrode materials. This study uses a life cycle assessment (LCA) model to evaluate the environmental impact of electrospun iron (III) oxide-based fibers as anode materials. Results show that silicon-doped anode materials exhibit better electrochemical performance and lower environmental impact compared to undoped materials.