High-density lithium batteries contain a lot of energy, but they are also a little dangerous, so there are now researchers who directly build fire extinguishing mechanisms into lithium-ion batteries.
The invention of lithium-ion batteries has changed our daily lives, from smartphones, notebooks, drones, long-range electric vehicles and electric bicycles, etc., to greatly improve the convenience of life, but unfortunately, lithium-ion batteries will have a risk of thermal runaway, once triggered, it is difficult to suppress, even though there are many batteries that are manufactured according to strict standards and properly maintained, but lithium-ion batteries are widely used, and there may be cheap and substandard batteries around.
No one wants their daily life buddies to be suddenly **, and new research from Clemenson University in the United States and Hunan University in China may solve everyone's problems. The new battery developed by the team is not made of a traditional highly flammable electrolyte or an organic solvent, but is an improved version of 3M Novec 7300 non-flammable coolant that is present in the fire extinguisher.
The electrolyte is an important bridge for the transfer of lithium ions between the positive and negative poles of the battery. The team noted that by introducing fluorinated liquids and non-polar solvents (Novec 7300 coolant and Daikin-T5216) to control the flammability of the solvents, the team was able to produce batteries that were self-extinguishing by improving commercial coolants as battery electrolytes.
The team pointed out that the new electrolyte can be used in both lithium-ion and potassium-ion batteries, and it performs quite well, even if a nail is driven into the battery, it will not catch fire, although the team has not provided any tests yet**; As an electrolyte, the new material also works well at -75-80 °C, and is significantly better than traditional electrolytes in adapting to extreme heat and cold, and has a capacity retention rate of 96 after more than 200 cycles under harsh conditions when applied to 18650 lithium-ion batteries7%。
The technology is also fairly easy to roll out on a commercial scale. The researchers pointed out that because the alternative electrolyte developed by the team, its physical properties are similar to those of today's battery electrolytes, it can be easily integrated into the battery production line, and if it is recognized by the industry, it is expected that non-flammable lithium-ion batteries will soon be manufactured.
Header image**:p ixabay).