Review on Thermal Runaway of Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles

Lithium-ion batteries are favored by the electric vehicle (EV) industry due to their high energy density, good cycling performance and no memory. However, with the wide application of EVs, frequent thermal runaway events have become a problem that cannot be ignored. The following is a comprehensive review of the research work on thermal runaway of lithium-ion batteries. Firstly, the functions of each part of the battery and the related flame-retardant modification are summarized. The thermal properties of the battery are improved by means of coating of cathode materials and adding anion receptors. Secondly, the thermal runaway behavior and its triggering mechanism are introduced, and the decomposition reactions of common cathode materials are analyzed. Finally, the methods of thermal runaway monitoring and thermal management are summarized to provide the reference for the safety of lithium-ion batteries.