Interfacial polymerization mechanisms assisted flame retardancy process of low-flammable electrolytes on lithium anode

Abstract

Thermal runaway is a hazardous risk, occurring more readily in high-energy–density lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which leads to a rapid temperature rise and even combustion or explosion when using flammable electrolyte systems. Flame retardants (FRs), such as trimethyl phosphate (TMPa) and triethyl phosphate (TEP), are commonly utilized due to their effective flame suppression, low toxicity, and excellent thermal stability. However, the lack of in-depth understanding of the flame retardancy mechanism and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation process has made the development of functional electrolytes difficult at present. In this study, we clarified the flame retardancy and interfacial reaction mechanisms of low-flammable TMPa localized high-concentration electrolytes (LHCE) using hybrid ab initio and reactive force field (HAIR) schemes. Long-term HAIR simulation reveals that phosphorous radicals produced by the decomposition of TMPa capture carbon radicals, encouraging their polymerization into low-flammable oligomers, while fluorine-containing solvents in the electrolyte capture hydrogen radicals and produce nonflammable hydrofluoric acid (HF). This synergistic flame retardancy mechanism provides essential atomic-level insights for the rational design of high-safety electrolytes in the future.