Flame retardant composite phase change materials with MXene for lithium-ion battery thermal management systems

A high-quality thermal management system is crucial for addressing the thermal safety concerns of lithium ion batteries. Despite the utilization of phase change materials (PCMs) in battery thermal management, there is still a need to raise thermal conductivity, shape stability, and flame retardancy in order to effectively mitigate battery safety risks. This study investigates a flame-retardant PCM composed of polyethylene glycol, expanded graphite, MXene, APP (ammonium polyphosphate), and ZHS (Zinc hydroxy stannate). The properties of the PCM and its thermal management performance during the operation of batteries are explored and evaluated. The results demonstrate that the incorporation of MXene enhances both the enthalpy of phase transition and thermal conductivity of PCM. Furthermore, the synergistic flame retardancy of APP and ZHS increases the carbon residue content, enabling PCM to achieve a V0 flame retardant rating. PCM exhibits a noticeable cooling effect on the battery temperature, reducing the highest temperature of the battery module to 57.03 °C during 3C discharge while maintaining a temperature difference of within 5 °C. This research contributes valuable insights into the potential use of PCMs with MXene in thermal management systems for batteries, with the aim of improving lithium batteries safety during operation.