Abstract
The electrolyte influence on the Li-ion batteries thermal runaway was studied through the role of additives and lithium salt. The thermal behavior analysis of lithiated graphite/electrolyte interface was performed using DSC along with other analytical techniques (IR, GC/MS…). Among tested commercial "SEI forming improver" additives (VC, FEC, VEC, 1,3-PS, SA), those leading to the formation of polymers (VC, FEC) were found to be the most efficient on both lithiated graphite thermal stability and electrochemical performances at 45°C. A new additives family, named dicyanoketene, was also investigated and showed beneficial effect on the safety and cyclability. The 0.33 M LiFSI and 0.66 M LiPF6 salt ratio can be used until 4.2 V without facing aluminum corrosion and it was found to improve the thermal behavior of lithiated graphite/electrolyte in presence of VC. Thermal stability tests on low capacity (~600 mAh) NMC/graphite prototypes allowed to confirm the effects observed at the negative electrode scale. Moreover, the strong contribution of the positive electrode in the thermal runaway phenomenon was highlighted as well as the key role of back pressure