Project description
Sodium-ion batteries for sustainable energy storage solutions
The creation of a new set of green energy guidelines is underway through the development of non-toxic sodium-ion batteries, eliminating all dangerous materials and scarce metals used in modern power storage devices. One of the main drawbacks of today’s lithium- and sodium-based batteries is their extensive use of toxic electrolyte salts, fluorine-based binders, and rare-earth cathodes. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SALIENT project is engineering a safe, high-capacity, and scalable battery prototype that integrates eco-friendly binders such as chitosan, a conjugated organic cathode, and a non-halogenated water-in-salt gel electrolyte. Testing this integrated system against current state-of-the-art industry benchmarks will help the team pioneer a new European framework for ethical, zero-emission energy technologies that support the EU’s climate-resilient goals.
Objective
This project addresses the urgent need for sustainable energy storage solutions by developing a fully non-toxic sodium-ion battery (SIB). Current rechargeable battery technologies, led by lithium-ion and sodium-ion systems, face critical limitations due to toxic electrolyte salts, fluorinated binders, and cathode materials derived from scarce or hazardous elements. The proposed research aims to overcome these barriers by systematically eliminating halogenated components, carbonate-based solvents, and rare-earth/transition-metal-based cathodes, replacing them with environmentally responsible alternatives.
The scientific objective is to engineer a high-capacity, safe, and scalable SIB that integrates: (i) sustainable binders (NaCMC, crosslinked Na-Alginate, chitosan), (ii) a conjugated organic cathode (PTCDA), and (iii) a gelled water-in-salt electrolyte (Gel-WISE) based on non-halogenated salts. This integrated approach will be validated against state-of-the-art (SOTA) benchmarks to ensure robust performance despite the inherent interdependence of electrolyte, electrode, and binder chemistries.
The project’s pertinence lies in aligning sustainability with performance from the earliest design stages. Beyond advancing fundamental knowledge of green electrode–electrolyte interactions, the work fosters a European research framework for ethical and scalable battery innovation. By addressing sustainability challenges at the materials, processing, and system levels, the project is positioned to deliver a transformative contribution to the EU’s leadership in climate-resilient, zero-emission energy technologies.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry electric batteries
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
00185 Roma
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.