A Drop-In Non-Flammable Electrolyte for Fire-Resistant, High Performance Lithium-ion Batteries

Recent incidents on Li-ion batteries (LIBs) have raised safety concerns for electric vehicles, cell phones, and many other battery-powered devices. The root cause arises from the flammable organic liquid electrolytes. However, a commercially viable non-flammable electrolyte (NFE) for high-rate LIBs has yet to be developed. The solution to these commercial mishaps lies in the development of an NFE technology. Nanotek Instruments proposes the development of an innovative NFE based on a hybrid composition of flame-retardant additives, stable SEI forming agent, organic solvents, and functional Li-salts. The resultant electrolyte will retain the desirable properties of liquid electrolytes including high ionic conductivity and low electrolyte-electrode interfacial resistance while concurrently provide other features such as enhanced safety and suppression of Li dendrite formation. The Phase I approach consists of feasibility demonstration of the developed NFE, where high rate performance with high ionic conductivity over a wide operational temperature range (-5 to 55 °C); high degree of thermal stability and electrochemically stability to ensure long battery lifetimes; and high energy and power density capability will be demonstrated. Compatibility of these electrolyte materials will be extensively studied and optimized to produce prototype full cells in Phase II in Army on-demanded power applications.