A novel flexible flame-retardant phase change materials with battery thermal management test

Abstract

The use of composite phase change materials (CPCM) for battery thermal management requires both great flexibility and excellent flame retardancy. In this study, a novel strategy of coating flame retardancy was adopted to prepare a highly flexible flame-retardant CPCM (FR-CPCM) by combining flexible flame-retardant coating (FRC) with flexible CPCM. Its thermophysical properties, flexibility, and flame retardancy were characterized and used for the thermal management of batteries. The results demonstrate that FRC significantly enhanced CPCM's flame retardance while preserving its thermophysical characteristics and flexibility. FRC has no impact on the thermal conductivity and flexibility of the CPCM and substantially improves the anti-leakage and high-temperature thermal load-bearing capabilities of FRCPCM. When the coating's flame retardant content reaches 36 %, FRCPCM achieves the best comprehensive flame-retardant performance, with an LOI value of 37.5 %, PHRR reduced by 79.2 %, and the whole heat release process is slowed down. Moreover, FRCPCM has an excellent heat dissipation capability for the battery under standard operating circumstances. And FRC-CPCM is effective in suppressing the heat transfer to the outside under the condition that the heating rod simulates the battery TR.