Energy Storage Science and Technology ›› 2024, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (11): 4143-4154.doi: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2024.0519

• Energy Storage Test: Methods and Evaluation • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Investigation of toxic products and structural changes in soft-packed ternary lithium-ion batteries during thermal runaway

Tian ZHOU(), Jie SUN(), Jigang LI, Shouping WEI, Jing CHEN, Fan ZHANG   

  1. Institute of NBC Defence, Beijing 102205, China
  • Received:2024-06-11 Revised:2024-06-22 Online:2024-11-28 Published:2024-11-27
  • Contact: Jie SUN E-mail:zt8123@163.com;magnsun@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn

Abstract:

This study aims to investigate the toxic products generated during the thermal runaway of ternary lithium-ion batteries and examine the impact of structural changes on battery performance and safety. With the rapid growth of the electric vehicle market, ternary batteries have gained popularity due to their high energy density and extended service life. However, thermal runaway poses a significant safety risk for electric vehicles, making it a critical area of concern for the industry. In this research, we initiated the thermal runaway of ternary batteries using flame ignition and subsequently collected and analyzed the gases produced. Experimental results indicated that the severity of thermal runaway intensifies with an increase in the state of charge (SOC). Once thermal runaway occurs, it can easily trigger a chain reaction in nearby batteries. During this process, toxic gases including carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen fluoride (HF), acrolein, acrylonitrile, and aromatic chemicals are emitted. Notably, carbon monoxide and several other toxic compounds pose severe health risks. Building upon the analysis of toxic emissions, this study further examined the structural changes occurring within the battery during thermal runaway. Advanced characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), were employed to observe and analyze battery materials before and after thermal runaway. The findings revealed that the cathode and anode materials undergo significant pyrolysis and oxidation, resulting in the generation of substantial quantities of gas and macromolecular compounds. These byproducts further accelerate the thermal runaway process and contribute to the structural degradation of the battery. This study not only elucidates the toxic emissions generated during the thermal runaway of ternary batteries and their associated hazards but also provides an in-depth analysis of the structural transformations within the battery. The findings offer crucial data for the safety evaluation of electric vehicles and serve as a valuable reference for the improvement and optimization of ternary lithium-ion batteries.

Key words: ternary material, lithium-ion battary, thermal runaway, product analysis, structural change

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