Beyond energy density: Multi-criteria assessment of inorganic cathode materials for electrochemical energy storage

The assessment of cathode materials for electrochemical energy storage has traditionally focused on specific capacity, operating voltage, and energy density. However, the transition from laboratory-scale performance to large-scale deployment requires broader evaluation criteria. In this work, a transparent, literature-informed multi-criteria framework is developed for the comparative assessment of representative inorganic cathode materials. The framework combines electrochemical performance with cycle life, safety, resource availability, supply-chain criticality, carbon footprint, and recyclability, and interprets the results through semi-quantitative scoring and alternative weighting scenarios. Particular emphasis is placed on distinguishing resource availability from supply-chain concentration, since a cathode chemistry may be technically competitive while remaining strategically exposed to upstream extraction, refining, or precursor bottlenecks. The analysis shows that broader deployment-oriented ranking can differ substantially from performance-only comparisons and helps identify cathode materials with more balanced sustainability and resilience profiles. The proposed framework is intended as a structured decision-support tool for comparing established and emerging cathode chemistries in future electrochemical energy storage.