Zhou Hangyu, He Jianhong, Gao Shang, Cao Xuan, Li Chenghui, Zhang Qing, Gao Jialiang, Yao Yongzheng, Zhai Chuanwei, Hu Zhongchun, Zhu Hongqing, Kang Rongxue
China Academy of Safety Science and Technology, Beijing 100012, China.
National Academy of Safety Science and Engineering, Ministry of Emergency Management of the People's Republic of China, Beijing 100012, China.
Polymers (Basel). 2025 Apr 30;17(9):1227. doi: 10.3390/polym17091227.
During the global energy transition, electric vehicles and electrochemical energy storage systems are rapidly gaining popularity, leading to a strong demand for lithium battery technology with high energy density and long lifespan. This technological advancement, however, hinges critically on resolving safety challenges posed by intrinsically reactive components particularly flammable polymeric separators, organic electrolyte systems, and high-capacity electrodes, which collectively elevate risks of thermal runaway (TR) under operational conditions. The strategic integration of smart polymeric materials that enable early detection of TR precursors (e.g., gas evolution, thermal spikes, voltage anomalies) and autonomously interrupt TR propagation chains has emerged as a vital paradigm for next-generation battery safety engineering. This paper begins with the development characteristics of thermal runaway in lithium batteries and analyzes recent breakthroughs in polymer-centric component design, multi-parameter sensing polymers, and TR propagation barriers. The discussion extends to intelligent material systems for emerging battery chemistries (e.g., solid-state, lithium-metal) and extreme operational environments, proposing design frameworks that leverage polymer multifunctionality for hierarchical safety mechanisms. These insights establish foundational principles for developing polymer-integrated lithium batteries that harmonize high energy density with intrinsic safety, addressing critical needs in sustainable energy infrastructure.
在全球能源转型过程中，电动汽车和电化学储能系统迅速普及，这使得对具有高能量密度和长寿命的锂电池技术产生了强烈需求。然而，这一技术进步在很大程度上取决于解决由本质上具有反应性的组件所带来的安全挑战，特别是易燃的聚合物隔膜、有机电解质系统和高容量电极，这些组件共同增加了在运行条件下热失控（TR）的风险。能够早期检测热失控前体（如气体逸出、热尖峰、电压异常）并自主中断热失控传播链的智能聚合物材料的战略整合，已成为下一代电池安全工程的重要范例。本文首先介绍了锂电池热失控的发展特征，并分析了以聚合物为中心的组件设计、多参数传感聚合物和热失控传播屏障方面的最新突破。讨论扩展到针对新兴电池化学体系（如固态、锂金属）和极端运行环境的智能材料系统，提出了利用聚合物多功能性实现分层安全机制的设计框架。这些见解为开发将高能量密度与固有安全性相协调的聚合物集成锂电池奠定了基本原则，满足了可持续能源基础设施的关键需求。
