A Preliminary Comparative Analysis of Sodium-ion and Lithium-ion Batteries: a Focus on Safety and Sustainability

While sodium-ion batteries have emerged as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to their potential for lower costs and for the greater availability of raw materials, a comprehensive understanding of their environmental and social footprint is crucial. This research seeks to provide a...

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Main Authors: Elpida Piperopoulos, Maria Francesca Milazzo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIDIC Servizi S.r.l. 2025-07-01
Series:Chemical Engineering Transactions
Online Access:https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/15366
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author Elpida Piperopoulos
Maria Francesca Milazzo
author_facet Elpida Piperopoulos
Maria Francesca Milazzo
author_sort Elpida Piperopoulos
collection DOAJ
description While sodium-ion batteries have emerged as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to their potential for lower costs and for the greater availability of raw materials, a comprehensive understanding of their environmental and social footprint is crucial. This research seeks to provide an initial comparison between sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries, specifically examining aspects of safety, sustainability, and their impacts across the entire life cycle. This life cycle encompasses key stages such as raw material extraction, cell manufacturing, the usage phase, and end-of-life management. By employing risk identification techniques used for preliminary safety assessment, the risks of each stage are quantified and compared for both battery types. A particular emphasis is placed on the manufacturing phase and the production processes for the anode, cathode, and electrolyte materials. The potential risks associated with the use of hazardous chemicals and energy-intensive processes are identified and evaluated. Additionally, the safety performance of both battery types is assessed, considering factors such as thermal stability, flammability, and the risk of electrolyte leakage. The highest risk index is 1.35 and it is attributed to the autoclave process used in the production of cathode for lithium-ion batteries. By comparing the safety profiles of sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries, information is gathered regarding their suitability for different applications, including electric vehicles, stationary energy storage, and portable electronics. The findings of this research contribute to a deeper understanding of the trade-offs between safety, sustainability, and performance for different battery technologies.
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spelling doaj-art-0fa768f106dd4527ad97029308c230b72025-08-20T02:46:35ZengAIDIC Servizi S.r.l.Chemical Engineering Transactions2283-92162025-07-01117A Preliminary Comparative Analysis of Sodium-ion and Lithium-ion Batteries: a Focus on Safety and SustainabilityElpida PiperopoulosMaria Francesca MilazzoWhile sodium-ion batteries have emerged as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to their potential for lower costs and for the greater availability of raw materials, a comprehensive understanding of their environmental and social footprint is crucial. This research seeks to provide an initial comparison between sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries, specifically examining aspects of safety, sustainability, and their impacts across the entire life cycle. This life cycle encompasses key stages such as raw material extraction, cell manufacturing, the usage phase, and end-of-life management. By employing risk identification techniques used for preliminary safety assessment, the risks of each stage are quantified and compared for both battery types. A particular emphasis is placed on the manufacturing phase and the production processes for the anode, cathode, and electrolyte materials. The potential risks associated with the use of hazardous chemicals and energy-intensive processes are identified and evaluated. Additionally, the safety performance of both battery types is assessed, considering factors such as thermal stability, flammability, and the risk of electrolyte leakage. The highest risk index is 1.35 and it is attributed to the autoclave process used in the production of cathode for lithium-ion batteries. By comparing the safety profiles of sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries, information is gathered regarding their suitability for different applications, including electric vehicles, stationary energy storage, and portable electronics. The findings of this research contribute to a deeper understanding of the trade-offs between safety, sustainability, and performance for different battery technologies.https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/15366
spellingShingle Elpida Piperopoulos
Maria Francesca Milazzo
A Preliminary Comparative Analysis of Sodium-ion and Lithium-ion Batteries: a Focus on Safety and Sustainability
Chemical Engineering Transactions
title A Preliminary Comparative Analysis of Sodium-ion and Lithium-ion Batteries: a Focus on Safety and Sustainability
title_full A Preliminary Comparative Analysis of Sodium-ion and Lithium-ion Batteries: a Focus on Safety and Sustainability
title_fullStr A Preliminary Comparative Analysis of Sodium-ion and Lithium-ion Batteries: a Focus on Safety and Sustainability
title_full_unstemmed A Preliminary Comparative Analysis of Sodium-ion and Lithium-ion Batteries: a Focus on Safety and Sustainability
title_short A Preliminary Comparative Analysis of Sodium-ion and Lithium-ion Batteries: a Focus on Safety and Sustainability
title_sort preliminary comparative analysis of sodium ion and lithium ion batteries a focus on safety and sustainability
url https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/15366
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AT elpidapiperopoulos preliminarycomparativeanalysisofsodiumionandlithiumionbatteriesafocusonsafetyandsustainability
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