Battery System

Contact Us

What is the safety impact of electrolytes and diaphragms on lithium-ion batteries

2023-05-22
c7a659c2-6233-4dfe-ba7b-7c394a7894fd

The electrolyte and separator play crucial roles in the safety of lithium-ion batteries. Here are the key impacts of these components on battery safety:

Electrolyte:

Flammability: The solvents used in electrolytes, typically organic carbonates, are highly reactive and easily combustible. This poses a significant safety risk.

Thermal Stability: The thermal stability of the interaction between the electrode and the electrolyte is a major factor affecting battery safety. Specifically, the reaction between the positive electrode and the electrolyte can have a significant impact on battery safety. Under certain abusive conditions, enough heat is generated inside the battery to cause the positive electrode to release oxygen, which provides oxygen to support the combustion of the electrolyte. However, the amount of oxygen generated is limited, often resulting in incomplete combustion of the electrolyte. Nevertheless, such combustion can still generate significant heat and gases, leading to damage to the battery system and potentially triggering violent combustion or explosions.

State of Matter: The liquid state of traditional electrolytes is not ideal for safety. Solid-state electrolytes with high lithium-ion conductivity (σLi+ > 10−4 S cm−1) can improve safety by preventing lithium dendrites from piercing the separator and reaching the positive electrode. Additionally, modifying liquid electrolytes by adding flame retardants can also enhance safety.

Separator:

Isolation Function: The separator's primary role is to isolate the positive and negative electrodes, preventing internal short circuits. It also provides structural support for the electrolyte, stabilizing the overall battery structure.

Mechanical Strength: The separator's mechanical strength, including tensile and puncture resistance, is crucial for battery safety. A thicker separator can better protect against internal short circuits caused by external impacts, thus enhancing safety.

Shutdown Function: The separator typically has a thermal shutdown feature that activates when the battery's internal resistance increases by three orders of magnitude. This helps mitigate potential safety hazards by reducing or stopping current flow within the battery.

In summary, the electrolyte and separator significantly impact the safety of lithium-ion batteries. Strict control over the quality and manufacturing processes of these components is essential to ensure the overall safety and performance stability of lithium-ion batteries.

Related News

Frey participated in the 2025 Korea Logistics Exhibition

On April 25, 2025, the annual Korea Mat 2025, the international logistics industry exhibition in Seoul, South Korea, came to an end at the Korea International Convention and Exhibition Center. During this four-day cutting-edge lithium battery technology competition, Jian...

Read More
The Canton Fair has come to a successful conclusion | Frey has embarked on a new chapter of global cooperation

Guangzhou in April is the center of the world's new energy businessmen's attention. Here, the much-anticipated “137th Canton Fair” was successfully concluded. During the exhibition, Frey Battery Technology brought its latest lithium battery products, with its longstandin...

Read More
Frey at Hannover Messe 2025 in Germany

On March 31, 2025, the much-anticipated Hannover Messe 2025 in Germany opened in grand style, and Frey brought a number of its star lithium battery products and solutions to the show. https://sccdn.sechitech.com/globalfrey/uploads/网站小格式视频.mp4 ...

Read More