Safe-and-sustainable-by-design redox active molecules for energy storage applications
Abstract Background Sustainability aspects have become a main criterion for design next to performance of material and product. Particularly the emerging field of energy storage and conversion is striving towards more sustainable solutions. However, implementing sustainability considerations during...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Energy, Sustainability and Society |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-024-00503-x |
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| author | Clemens Wolf Janine Maier Julia Wenger Georg Rudelstorfer Christian Leypold Julia Voglhuber-Höller Matiss Reinfelds Andrea Weiner Arantza Muriana Susanne Lux Claudia Mair-Bauernfeind Andreas Falk Stefan Spirk |
| author_facet | Clemens Wolf Janine Maier Julia Wenger Georg Rudelstorfer Christian Leypold Julia Voglhuber-Höller Matiss Reinfelds Andrea Weiner Arantza Muriana Susanne Lux Claudia Mair-Bauernfeind Andreas Falk Stefan Spirk |
| author_sort | Clemens Wolf |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Sustainability aspects have become a main criterion for design next to performance of material and product. Particularly the emerging field of energy storage and conversion is striving towards more sustainable solutions. However, implementing sustainability considerations during the design and development phase of energy materials and products is challenging due to the complexity and broadness of the different dimensions of sustainability. Results Here, we demonstrate that by using the principles of Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD), a concept can be formulated. This concept served as the basis for selecting and evaluating criteria and performance parameters aimed at enhancing the safety and sustainability aspects of redox active molecules in an organic redox flow battery. Following an iterative approach, the collected data provided valuable insights enabling us to fine-tune and enhance the materials and processes in alignment with the identified parameters. (Social) life cycle assessment focused on the workflow from sourcing, processing and generation of intermediate products to the quinone used in the redox flow batteries and revealed important insights, highlighting critical steps in the process chain. Additionally, we identified two specific points of intervention regarding solvent and quinone choice, based on sustainability parameters. The proposed solvent change resulted in a greener alternative [changed from tetrahydrofuran (THF) to 2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran (MTHF)], and the ecotoxicity testing revealed MGQ and MHQS to be improved options. However, we also faced severe challenges regarding access to reliable LCA data on the raw material sourcing. Conclusion Taken together, the modified designs led to safer and more sustainable redox active materials for both humans and the environment at lab scale. Implementing the results mentioned above to further expedite the technology will ultimately pave the way to more sustainable energy storage applications. This study proved the value of implementing of an SSbD concept in battery development is the main result of this study. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2514907ae1ba4ca7843129545580d4d1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2192-0567 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energy, Sustainability and Society |
| spelling | doaj-art-2514907ae1ba4ca7843129545580d4d12025-02-09T12:49:04ZengBMCEnergy, Sustainability and Society2192-05672025-02-0115111610.1186/s13705-024-00503-xSafe-and-sustainable-by-design redox active molecules for energy storage applicationsClemens Wolf0Janine Maier1Julia Wenger2Georg Rudelstorfer3Christian Leypold4Julia Voglhuber-Höller5Matiss Reinfelds6Andrea Weiner7Arantza Muriana8Susanne Lux9Claudia Mair-Bauernfeind10Andreas Falk11Stefan Spirk12BioNanoNet Forschungsgesellschaft mbH (BNN)Institute of Bioproducts and Paper Technology, Graz University of TechnologyDepartment of Environmental Systems Sciences, University of GrazInstitute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Graz University of TechnologyInstitute of Bioproducts and Paper Technology, Graz University of TechnologyBioNanoNet Forschungsgesellschaft mbH (BNN)BioNanoNet Forschungsgesellschaft mbH (BNN)BBD BioPhenix SLU - BiobideBBD BioPhenix SLU - BiobideInstitute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Graz University of TechnologyDepartment of Environmental Systems Sciences, University of GrazBioNanoNet Forschungsgesellschaft mbH (BNN)Institute of Bioproducts and Paper Technology, Graz University of TechnologyAbstract Background Sustainability aspects have become a main criterion for design next to performance of material and product. Particularly the emerging field of energy storage and conversion is striving towards more sustainable solutions. However, implementing sustainability considerations during the design and development phase of energy materials and products is challenging due to the complexity and broadness of the different dimensions of sustainability. Results Here, we demonstrate that by using the principles of Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD), a concept can be formulated. This concept served as the basis for selecting and evaluating criteria and performance parameters aimed at enhancing the safety and sustainability aspects of redox active molecules in an organic redox flow battery. Following an iterative approach, the collected data provided valuable insights enabling us to fine-tune and enhance the materials and processes in alignment with the identified parameters. (Social) life cycle assessment focused on the workflow from sourcing, processing and generation of intermediate products to the quinone used in the redox flow batteries and revealed important insights, highlighting critical steps in the process chain. Additionally, we identified two specific points of intervention regarding solvent and quinone choice, based on sustainability parameters. The proposed solvent change resulted in a greener alternative [changed from tetrahydrofuran (THF) to 2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran (MTHF)], and the ecotoxicity testing revealed MGQ and MHQS to be improved options. However, we also faced severe challenges regarding access to reliable LCA data on the raw material sourcing. Conclusion Taken together, the modified designs led to safer and more sustainable redox active materials for both humans and the environment at lab scale. Implementing the results mentioned above to further expedite the technology will ultimately pave the way to more sustainable energy storage applications. This study proved the value of implementing of an SSbD concept in battery development is the main result of this study.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-024-00503-xSafe-and-sustainable-by-designSafe-by-designRedox flow batteryEnergy storage systemQuinoneElectrolyte |
| spellingShingle | Clemens Wolf Janine Maier Julia Wenger Georg Rudelstorfer Christian Leypold Julia Voglhuber-Höller Matiss Reinfelds Andrea Weiner Arantza Muriana Susanne Lux Claudia Mair-Bauernfeind Andreas Falk Stefan Spirk Safe-and-sustainable-by-design redox active molecules for energy storage applications Energy, Sustainability and Society Safe-and-sustainable-by-design Safe-by-design Redox flow battery Energy storage system Quinone Electrolyte |
| title | Safe-and-sustainable-by-design redox active molecules for energy storage applications |
| title_full | Safe-and-sustainable-by-design redox active molecules for energy storage applications |
| title_fullStr | Safe-and-sustainable-by-design redox active molecules for energy storage applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Safe-and-sustainable-by-design redox active molecules for energy storage applications |
| title_short | Safe-and-sustainable-by-design redox active molecules for energy storage applications |
| title_sort | safe and sustainable by design redox active molecules for energy storage applications |
| topic | Safe-and-sustainable-by-design Safe-by-design Redox flow battery Energy storage system Quinone Electrolyte |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-024-00503-x |
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