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Review
. 2021 Nov 10;14(22):6783.
doi: 10.3390/ma14226783.

Challenges for Safe Electrolytes Applied in Lithium-Ion Cells-A Review

Marita Pigłowska  1 , Beata Kurc  1 , Maciej Galiński  1 , Paweł Fuć  2 , Michalina Kamińska  2 , Natalia Szymlet  2 , Paweł Daszkiewicz  2
Affiliations
Review

Challenges for Safe Electrolytes Applied in Lithium-Ion Cells-A Review

Marita Pigłowska et al. Materials (Basel). .

Abstract

The aspect of safety in electronic devices has turned out to be a huge challenge for the world of science. Thus far, satisfactory power and energy densities, efficiency, and cell capacities have been achieved. Unfortunately, the explosiveness and thermal runaway of the cells prevents them from being used in demanding applications such as electric cars at higher temperatures. The main aim of this review is to highlight different electrolytes used in lithium-ion cells as well as the flammability aspect. In the paper, the authors present liquid inorganic electrolytes, composite polymer-ceramic electrolytes, ionic liquids (IL), polymeric ionic liquids, polymer electrolytes (solvent-free polymer electrolytes (SPEs), gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs), and composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs)), and different flame retardants used to prevent the thermal runaway and combustion of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Additionally, various flame tests used for electrolytes in LIBs have been adopted. Aside from a detailed description of the electrolytes consumed in LIBs. Last section in this work discusses hydrogen as a source of fuel cell operation and its practical application as a global trend that supports green chemistry.

Keywords: SEI; hydrogen; non-flammable electrolyte; polymer electrolytes; safety LIBs.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A schematic representation of ionic liquids, polymeric ionic liquids, polymer electrolytes, and functional binders.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Typical milestone events of four phases: deformation, internal short circuit (ISC), thermal runaway, and explosion/fire, based on.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The mechanism of degradation of 1 M LIPF6 in EC:DMC.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The effect of lithium deposition on the safety of LIBs, where HLs are the different hazard levels of degradation of 1 M LIPF6 in EC:DMC.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Chronological development of polymer electrolytes for non-aqueous lithium-based cells in the years 1970–2010.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Challenges and opportunities for CPEs and HPEs [102].
Figure 7
Figure 7
Molecular structures of (a) phosphates; (b) fluorinated phosphates; (c) phosphites; (d) phosphonates; and (e) cyclophosphazenes used as flame retardants in LIBs.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Flammability test results for (1) LiPF6/EC conventional electrolytes: DMC (ratio 3:7 vol); 1 M LiPF6/PC; (2) 0.1 M LiPF6/DFDEC; 1 M LiPF6/PC: DFDEC in volumetric ratios of 1:9, 2:8, 3:7, 4:6; 1 M LiPF6/PC: DFDEC (3:7) with an addition of 1 wt.% FEC.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Summary selection of various electrolyte retardant additives, where A, B, C, and D mean the type of flame retardant used. P—poor electrochemical compatibility, G—good electrochemical compatibility, L—low retardant efficiency, H—high retardant efficiency.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Hydrogen: how to obtain (a,b) and how to store (c).
Figure 11
Figure 11
Graph of publications on hydrogen fuel cells vs. years (based on last 10 years of publications).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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