TY - GEN
T1 - Sources of variability and uncertainty in LCA of single wall carbon nanotubes for li-ion batteries in electric vehicles
AU - Seager, Thomas P.
AU - Raffaelle, Ryne P.
AU - Landi, Brian J.
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - Production alternatives for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) such as chemical vapor deposition, laser, arc and flame, vary widely in material and energy yields, catalyst requirements and product characteristics. The overall environmental profile must be assessed relative to performance in a specific end-use application, such as lithium ion batteries for electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles. Although in general SWCNT have several properties that make them attractive for transportation applications, production is a material- and energy-intensive process. High-yield synthesis pathways may be environmentally inefficient if extensive purification is required. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an approach to quantifying the environmental tradeoffs engendered by technology substitution. However, it is essential to recognize that the results of LCA for one type of SWCNT may not be applicable to SWCNT of different purity, length, diameter, chirality or conductivity. This paper discusses sources of variability and uncertainty in production of SWCNT and makes several recommendations with regard to LCA of nanomaterials.
AB - Production alternatives for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) such as chemical vapor deposition, laser, arc and flame, vary widely in material and energy yields, catalyst requirements and product characteristics. The overall environmental profile must be assessed relative to performance in a specific end-use application, such as lithium ion batteries for electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles. Although in general SWCNT have several properties that make them attractive for transportation applications, production is a material- and energy-intensive process. High-yield synthesis pathways may be environmentally inefficient if extensive purification is required. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an approach to quantifying the environmental tradeoffs engendered by technology substitution. However, it is essential to recognize that the results of LCA for one type of SWCNT may not be applicable to SWCNT of different purity, length, diameter, chirality or conductivity. This paper discusses sources of variability and uncertainty in production of SWCNT and makes several recommendations with regard to LCA of nanomaterials.
KW - Comparative life cycle assessment
KW - Multicriteria
KW - Nanomaterials
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=51849141473&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=51849141473&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/ISEE.2008.4562878
DO - 10.1109/ISEE.2008.4562878
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:51849141473
SN - 1424422728
SN - 9781424422722
T3 - IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment
BT - 2008 16th IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment, ISEE
T2 - 2008 16th IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment, ISEE
Y2 - 19 May 2008 through 22 May 2008
ER -