Thermal runaway-preventing technologies for lithium-ion batteries

doi:10.12028/j.issn.2095-4239.2018.0017

Abstract

Abstract: Safety concern imposes an uncertainty for the large-scale applications of high energy density and high capacity lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in electrical vehicles and electric storage devices. Thermal runaway is recognized to be the main cause for the unsafe behaviors, such as firing and explosion. From the electrochemical point of view, an effective way for resolving this problem is to build a thermal shutdown mechanism in the internal LIBs to switch off the ions or electrons transport at risky temperatures, thus terminating the battery reactions and preventing the thermal runaway from happening. Based on this consideration, various thermal runaway-preventing technologies have been proposed for improving the safety of LIBs in recent years, such as positive-temperature-coefficient electrode (i.e. PTC electrode), thermoresponsive microsphere-coated separator or electrode, thermally polymerizable additives, and so on. This paper intends to review the recent progress of these technologies after a brief introduction to their implementation approaches and working mechanisms. Furthermore, the problems and future development orientations in this area have also been discussed from a viewpoint of practical application demand.

Key words: safety, thermal runaway, positive-temperature-coefficient, thermal-responsive, lithium ion battery

CLC Number:

TM911

LI Hui, JI Weixiao, CAO Yuliang, ZHAN Hui, YANG Hanxi, AI Xinping. Thermal runaway-preventing technologies for lithium-ion batteries[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2018, 7(3): 376-383.

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