Conductometric sensor for ppb-level lithium-ion battery electrolyte leakage based on Co/Pd-doped SnO2

Safety problem caused by the leakage of electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries (LIB) have become a critical hot issue. However, since the main components of LIB electrolyte, such as dimethyl carbonate (DMC), are volatile or redox, trace electrolyte leakage is difficult to detect. Therefore, in order to realize early detection of electrolyte leakage and real-time monitoring of LIB health, here we report a success of DMC gas detection by MOS sensor based on Co/Pd-doped SnO2 nanomaterial for LIB health monitoring. In detail, the sensor showed high response to DMC when compared to interfering gases. Especially, the sensor could detect DMC down to the ppb level (the response value of the 500 ppb DMC is about 1.6). The response and recovery time for 1 ppm DMC were about 66 s and 240 s, respectively. The response of the sensor was obvious even when the leakage levels were as low as only 0.1 μL electrolyte. Furthermore, in the simulated electrolyte leakage via LIB penetration experiment, the sensor successfully exhibited an instant response, which proved that this work effectively provides a new approach for LIB real-time health and safety monitoring.