Environmental impact assessment of CRM-free supercapacitor electrode materials based on the building materials cement

Abstract The escalating global demand for energy storage solutions has thrust supercapacitors into the spotlight due to their exceptional power density and rapid charge–discharge capabilities. This study presents an environmental impact assessment of critical raw material (CRM)-free supercapacitor electrode materials derived from building materials, specifically cement. The electrodes are composed of abundant and locally sourceable materials, namely cement, nanocarbon black, and water, and thus represent a sustainable alternative. Following ISO guidelines and employing the ReCiPe 2016 midpoint impact methodology, this life cycle assessment quantifies the environmental impact of the electrode production process. Furthermore, a comparison with graphene oxide aerogel-based electrodes demonstrates that cement-based electrodes have lower impacts in most environmental categories, with the exception of ionising radiation and land use. Our findings underscore electricity as the primary driver, exerting a substantial influence across all impact assessment categories for the cement-based electrodes. The study highlights the significance of judiciously selecting electricity sources and consumption levels during production to mitigate the environmental impact. Furthermore, it supports the viability of CRM-free supercapacitor electrode materials in advancing sustainable energy storage technologies while offering valuable insights for researchers and stakeholders in the renewable energy sector. Future research work should examine the use phase and end-of-life scenarios, including reuse and recycling capabilities, to enable a comprehensive life cycle assessment and facilitate a thorough comparison with other energy storage technologies.