Holistic View on Materials Development: Water Electrolysis as a Case Study. Issue 37 (7th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Klemenz, Sebastian; Stegmüller, Andreas; Yoon, Songhak; Felser, Claudia; Tüysüz, Harun; Weidenkaff, Anke
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 60:Issue 37(2021)
• Page Start: 20094
• Page End: 20100
• Publication Date: 2021-07-07
• Subjects: catalysis -- circular economy -- OER -- sustainability; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202105324
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: In view of rising ecological awareness, materials development is primarily aimed at improving the performance and efficiency of innovative and more elaborate materials. However, a materials performance figure of merit should include essential aspects of materials: environmental impact, economic constraints, technical feasibility, etc. Thus, we promote the inclusion of sustainability criteria already during the materials design process. With such a holistic design approach, new products may be more likely to meet the circular economy requirements than when traditional development strategies are pursued. Using catalysts for water electrolysis as an example, we present a modelling method based on experimental data to holistically evaluate processes. Abstract : In the context of a circular economy, the design process of new materials has to change. The performance‐based mindset must be replaced by a holistic approach to efficient materials. For this transition, the collaboration between materials science and sustainability assessment must be improved, and new ways of including assessments into design processes and standardized figures of sustainable merit must be defined.