A study of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBA) as a flame retardant additive for Li-ion battery electrolytes

Electrochemical behavior and flammability of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBA)-mixed electrolyte solutions are investigated using 1 mol L−1 LiPF6-EC:EMC (1:2 vol.%) with 0 wt.% (reference electrolyte) and 1–3 wt.% of TBBA. The cycling performance (at room and elevated temperature) and rate capability of the 18650 cell (LiMn2O4:Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 (8:2)/Li4Ti5O12) cell containing TBBA-mixed electrolyte is similar to that of cell containing the reference electrolyte. A detailed analysis of the surface on both the anode and the cathode electrodes via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the cathode electrode contains more Br components than the anode electrode. Within the first few cycles, on the positive electrode, we observe competing redox processes between the cathode material containing Mn and TBBA, which generate hydroxy radicals and other by-products. This process and the electrochemical reductive decomposition of TBBA to HBr, Br2 and bisphenole A are responsible for the increased flame retardant properties of the electrolyte containing TBBA. Safety tests were performed using an 18650 cell showed that even 1 wt.% of TBBA in the electrolyte significantly reduces cell flammability.