Electrochemical energy storage systems represent one of the enabling solutions for the ecological transition of the electrical system, facilitating deeper integration of non-programmable renewable energy resources such as wind and solar energy. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) currently lead the technology landscape; however, they face critical issues related to their production, especially concerning energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and the use of raw materials such as rare earth elements.

Finding alternative storage technologies appears crucial to support the energy transition, yet it is equally important to study their sustainability from the early stages of technological development. In this context, this article presents an economic-environmental assessment based on life cycle analysis (LCA), comparing button-type sodium-ion cells (SIBs, with Ti1Al1TiC1.85 MXene as an anodic material) with LIBs.

The results of the LCA study show that lithium-ion cells have better environmental performance, and the energy density of sodium-ion cells currently appears to be the limiting factor. However, when batteries are compared by mass, SIBs may represent potential alternatives to LIBs. The analysis indicates that SIBs use fewer critical resources, both in absolute and relative terms, highlighting the need, at least for the European Union, to find viable alternatives to LIBs.