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Impact of Using Flame-Retardant Electrolyte Additives in Li-Ion Batteries: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Ethoxy (Pentafluoro) Cyclotriphosphazene (PFPN)

delete2026-08-11
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OA
AI
A
Afaque Alam
S
Samarpan Farmer
M
Mohammad Behzadnia
X
Xuefeng Jiao
B
Brad VanDerWege
A
Andrew “Bean” Getsoian
C
Claudia Iyer
B
Benjamin Petersen
J
James Yi
L
Likun Zhu *
L
Li Qiao *
DOI:10.3390/batteries12080299delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Li-ion batteries (LIBs) are seeing increasingly widespread adoption across consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and grid-scale energy storage systems, yet their susceptibility to thermal runaway remains a concern. This study evaluates ethoxy (pentafluoro) cyclotriphosphazene (PFPN) as an electrolyte additive to reduce electrolyte flammability and thermal stability without significantly compromising electrochemical performance. Electrolyte flammability was quantified using self-extinguishing time (SET) measurements, which revealed that PFPN significantly suppresses combustion. At 4 wt% PFPN, 60% of electrolyte samples failed to ignite despite extended ignition exposure, and the average SET decreased from 51.15 s g−1 to 34.60 s g−1. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) further demonstrated improved thermal stability, with the onset of solvent decomposition delayed by ~30 °C at 4 wt% PFPN. Ionic conductivity modestly decreases (14%, from 8.13 to 6.97 mS cm−1 at 4 wt% PFPN). Electrochemical testing showed negligible impact on battery performance. Graphite||Li and NMC811||Li half-cells containing PFPN exhibited comparable capacity retention to baseline cells. NMC811||graphite pouch cells were used to further evaluate extended cycling and rate capability; PFPN-containing cells demonstrated similar capacities even after prolonged cycling and high-rate operation. Overall, PFPN provides effective flame retardance at 4 wt% while maintaining electrochemical compatibility, making it a promising additive for enhancing thermal stability of LIB electrolytes.
Keywords:
Li-ion battery
flame-retardant electrolyte additive
PFPN
flammability
thermal stability
thermal runaway

Journal

B
Batteries-Basel
IF:
4.8
Papers:
1.8K
Citations:
6.9K

Organization

F
Ford Motor Company
Scholars:
1.1K
Papers: 970
Citations: 2
P
Purdue University
Scholars:
2.6W
Papers: 2.0W
Citations: 147
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