Navigating through Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD): Scoping Analysis with functionalized graphene oxide as a...

Area of Science:

• Chemical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• The European Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) prioritizes Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) to minimize chemical risks.
• The EC Joint Research Centre (JRC) developed SSbD methodological guidance in 2024, including a Scoping Analysis.
• The SSbD framework is being revised to integrate this Scoping Analysis into R&I activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the application of the SSbD Scoping Analysis to a specific case study.
• To evaluate graphene oxide functionalized with chitosan as a sustainable alternative flame retardant for electric vehicle battery cases.
• To demonstrate how the Scoping Analysis supports iterative safety and sustainability assessments in R&I.

Main Methods:

• Application of the JRC's SSbD Scoping Analysis methodology.
• Case study involving graphene oxide functionalized with chitosan (N-acetylglucosamine).
• Assessment of the material as a flame-retardant additive for electric vehicle battery applications.

Main Results:

• The Scoping Analysis provided a framework for contextualizing the assessment phase of SSbD for the case study.
• The analysis identified areas for improvement in the safety and sustainability profile of the graphene oxide-chitosan material.
• The study demonstrated the utility of the SSbD Scoping Analysis in guiding innovation towards sustainable chemical solutions.

Conclusions:

• The SSbD Scoping Analysis is a valuable tool for integrating safety and sustainability early in the R&I process.
• The application to graphene oxide-chitosan shows potential for developing safer, more sustainable flame retardants for electric vehicles.
• Iterative application of the SSbD framework, supported by the Scoping Analysis, facilitates progress towards full SSbD implementation.