The 36-month project “Towards sustainable batteries based on silicon, sulphur and biomass-derived carbon” (2Boss) was completed in May 2025. It was funded under the ERA-MIN call and funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme.

Electric vehicles have become increasingly common in recent times. However, the development of battery technology has progressed relatively slowly. Current batteries contain up to a hundred different materials, and most of them depend on critical raw materials (CRMs). Additionally, the durability and energy capacity of current Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs) are limited by the materials used in their electrodes. Recycling these CRMs is complex and costly, partly due to the presence of several dispersed and intermixed metals. To facilitate a smooth and flexible transition to e-mobility, it was essential to develop solutions that promote circularity and sustainability.

In this context, the goal of 2Boss was to create an innovative, durable, sustainable and high-performance battery technology that promotes circular use of materials, minimising the use of CRMs for a greener future. The researchers of the 2Boss project developed new advanced materials, technologies and solutions that are sustainable, energy efficient and recyclable and at the same time non-toxic and cost-effective. The 2Boss contributes to the carbon-neutral transition by ensuring the availability of raw materials for battery manufacturing, reducing dependency on CRMs and designing a cobalt-free cathode and a graphite-free anode. Additionally, it offers circular designed components that are recyclable and optimises environmental and social impacts while promoting a more circular economy, while enhancing energy capacity, density, and battery durability.

The Functional Nanomaterials department at IREC contributed with the biomass-derived carbon and cathode assembly, and the battery assembly and validation. Specifically, IREC’s researchers were responsible for developing carbon materials from winery biomass waste to create high-performance sulphur cathodes and for designing novel catalysts to enhance lithium-sulphur reactions, improving battery capacity and cycle life. Moreover, they integrated the silicon anodes and sulphur cathodes into full cells. Solid sulphide electrolytes improved electrode stability, energy density, and cycle life.

The project was carried out in collaboration with the following partners: Institut de Recerca en Energia de Catalunya (IREC), the coordinator of the project; Commissariat à l’ènergie atomique et aux ènergies alternatives (CEA), Politecnico di Torino (PoliTO) and Cleopa GmbH.

Acknowledgements (in Spanish)

El proyecto 2BoSS (PCI2022-132985) está financiado por MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 y por la Unión Europea “NextGenerationEU”/PRTR.