Abstract
Energy storage using lithium-ion cells dominates consumer electronics and is rapidly becoming predominant in electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage, but the high energy densities attained lead to the potential for release of this stored chemical energy. This article introduces some of the paths by which this energy might be unintentionally released, relating cell material properties to the physical processes associated with this potential release. The selected paths focus on the anode–electrolyte and cathode–electrolyte interactions that are of typical concern for current and near-future systems. Relevant material processes include bulk phase transformations, bulk diffusion, surface reactions, transport limitations across insulating passivation layers, and the potential for more complex material structures to enhance safety. We also discuss the development, parameterization, and application of predictive models for this energy release and give examples of the application of these models to gain further insight into the development of safer energy storage systems.
Highlights
Lithium-ion batteries have reached relatively high energy densities by electrochemical standards, allowing compact transport of energy that fuels our portable electronic lifestyles.[1,2] the high energy density coupled with the compact nature of its storage requires relatively unstable materials by electrochemical standards
It is instead suggested that the limiting carbon, and spiky carbon) at the particle surface scale (Figure 4a) is shown to influence intercalation dynamics, electrochemical performances, and thermal runaway propensity.[56]
The potential evolution of spiky carbon is closer to theoretical open-circuit voltage (OCV) than spherical carbon, indicating more lithium storage, the deferred onset of adverse lithium plating, and a lower side reaction rate
Summary
Lithium-ion batteries have reached relatively high energy densities by electrochemical standards, allowing compact transport of energy that fuels our portable electronic lifestyles.[1,2] the high energy density coupled with the compact nature of its storage requires relatively unstable materials by electrochemical standards. We note another important class of cathode materials, olivines, with the general form LixMPO4 of which lithium iron phosphate (LFP) is the commercialized example.[23,24] Phosphate cathodes have oxygen bonded covalently in phosphate groups, and reaction with typical electrolytes is rare for LFP.[25,26,27] From a safety perspective, LFP is quite desirable,[6,26,27,28,29] but it has a lower energy density and a number of other challenges.[23,24] LFP cells are not immune to thermal runaway because anode thermal decomposition can still occur,[28,29] but the sudden onset of cathode heat release is rarely observed, making them significantly safer. Ear optimization algorithms, allowing more complex reaction models to be parameterized.[55]
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