Chemical Characterization Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy of Products Released from Lithium-Ion Battery Cells at Thermal Runaway Conditions

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was used to characterize the ejecta released by lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells at thermal runaway conditions. Commercial AAA-size, rechargeable, 3.7 V, 350 mAh, Li-ion battery cells were heated in a N-2 -atmosphere tubular chamber up to about 165 celcius to induce thermal decomposition. Through measurements of the chamber internal temperature and LIBS emission intensities over, time the onset temperature of thermal runaway (approximate to 143 celcius) and the duration of the cells outgassing (>40 minutes) were determined. Relatively high-intensity atomic emissions from C, F, H, Li, Na, and P were detected at different times during the heating experiments. The detection of analytes such as C and H was continuous over time. On the contrary, detection of F, Li, Na, and P was more irregular, indicating the presence of solid-phase analytes or analyte-bearing particles. A calibration scheme for estimation of the total mass/volume concentration of all carbon-based species sampled within the laser-induced plasma was developed.

Automated summary

LIBS was used to characterize the ejecta released by Li-ion cells during thermal runaway, with high-intensity atomic emissions of C, F, H, Li, Na, and P detected during heating experiments, indicating the presence of solid-phase analytes or analyte-bearing particles.