Issue 8, 2025

Powering the sustainable future: a review of emerging battery technologies and their environmental impact

Abstract

This review paper provides a comprehensive analysis of various battery technologies, categorizing them into primary (non-rechargeable), secondary (rechargeable), specialty, and emerging battery types. It delves into the key properties of these batteries, including energy density, cycle life, cost, environmental impact, and their suitability for different applications. The review highlights the environmental implications of each battery type, focusing on the sustainability of materials and manufacturing processes. Furthermore, it discusses potential future trends in battery technology, including advancements in solid-state batteries, nanotechnology, recycling techniques, and alternative chemistries. The paper concludes by summarizing key findings and emphasizing the importance of ongoing research and innovation in the field to meet the increasing global demand for efficient and sustainable energy storage solutions.

Graphical abstract: Powering the sustainable future: a review of emerging battery technologies and their environmental impact

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Article information

Article type
Critical Review
Submitted
24 Feb 2025
Accepted
05 Jun 2025
First published
06 Jun 2025
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

RSC Sustainability, 2025,3, 3266-3306

Powering the sustainable future: a review of emerging battery technologies and their environmental impact

P. Phogat, S. Dey and M. Wan, RSC Sustainability, 2025, 3, 3266 DOI: 10.1039/D5SU00127G

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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