Mechanisms of action and synergistic design of phosphorus-based flame retardants: advanced strategies for enhancing lithium-ion battery safety
摘要
The escalating safety concerns of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), particularly thermal runaway and combustion under abusive conditions, necessitate advanced flame retardants to mitigate fire hazards. This review delves into phosphorus-based flame retardants, classifying them into phosphate esters, phosphazenes, and phosphonates, and evaluates their mechanisms, efficacy, and compatibility with LIBs components. Phosphate esters demonstrate gas-phase radical scavenging and condensed-phase char formation but are confronted with challenges in electrode compatibility, addressed via pre-cycling strategies and fluorination. Phosphazenes have a stronger nitrogen-phosphorus synergistic effect than phosphate ester-based flame retardants, which promotes the formation of a stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film and shows better compatibility with both anode and cathode materials. Phosphazenes derivative harness synergistic P-N-F effects for enhanced flame retardancy and stable SEI formation. Phosphonates demonstrate superior flame suppression but require viscosity optimization. Key mechanisms involve gas-phase radical quenching and condensed-phase thermal insulation via char layers. Despite advancements, trade-offs between flame-retardant efficiency, ionic conductivity, and long-term stability persist. This work provides a valuable reference for the selection of multifunctional additives, the implementation of interfacial engineering, and the construction of synergistic systems, enabling the achievement of a balance between safety and electrochemical performance, and thus promoting the design of high-safety lithium-ion batteries.