How electrolytes influence battery safety

Abstract

Lithium batteries use organic electrolytes because of the wide operating voltage. For lithium ion rechargeable batteries, these electrolytes are almost universally based on combinations of linear and cyclic alkyl carbonates. These electrolytes make possible the use of Li as the anodic active component and results in the high power and energy densities characteristic of the Li-ion chemistries. However, these organic electrolytes have high volatility and lammability that pose a serious safety issue for their use in the consumer and transportation markets. If exposed to extreme conditions of elevated voltage and temperature, these electrolytes can react with the active electrode materials to release signiicant heat and gas.