A Review on Lithium-Ion Batteries Safety Issues: Existing Problems and Possible Solutions

Lithium-ion batteries have been considered to be the most competitive power source of electric vehicles (EV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and energy storage of green grid. However, as a solution to high energy density storage, lithium-ion batteries have been seriously plagued by the safety issues. In this paper, several key facts and corresponding mechanisms of battery safety issues, including overcharge, thermal runaway, lithium dendrites, current collector dissolution and gas evolution are detailed discussed. Additionally, based on the discussed safety issues, a few of efficient solutions to preventing safety issues, including redox shuttle, flame-retardant (FR) electrolyte additive and positive temperature coefficient (PTC) device, are introduced in brief. This review aimed to achieve deeper understanding the safety issues of lithium-ion batteries based on material chemistry and further develop corresponding positive strategy to these occurred issues.