• Date 2024-06-14

The technological specifications of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which revolutionized the design of portable electronic devices and facilitate the current transition to electric vehicles, continue to evolve through the introduction of various high-risk liquid electrolyte chemicals. Yet, critical evaluation of the physical, environmental, and human health hazards of these substances is lacking. Using the GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals approach, Schwaebe et al. conducted a chemical hazard assessment (CHA) of 103 electrolyte chemicals categorized into seven chemical groups: salts, carbonates, esters, ethers, sulfoxides–sulfites–sulfones, overcharge protection additives, and flame-retardant additives. Their findings are depicted in the article “Chemical hazard assessment toward safer electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries” published in Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management (IEAM). Key points are:

• Most of the 103 electrolyte chemicals exhibited high levels of concern relative to human health and environmental hazard endpoints.
• Nonempirical predictive data sources are essential for filling data gaps commonly encountered in empirical data sources.
• Structure similarity analysis highlights that chemicals with structure similarity correlate with similar hazard endpoints, increasing the value of predictive data sources. 

The full abstract and article can be found here: https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ieam.4963

Source:https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15513793