Particles Released by Abused Prismatic Ni-rich Automotive Lithium-ion Batteries

The particulate matter released by lithium-ion batteries during eruption and combustion caused by thermal runaway may contain heavy metal pollution elements. The aim of this study is to reveal four heavy metal element content and size distribution of particulate matter released by abused prismatic Ni-rich automotive lithium-ion batteries. A fully charged commercial 50 Ah Li(Ni0.6Mn0.2Co0.2)O2 cell was triggered by heating in a sealed chamber at nitrogen environment. The particulate matter with size being below 500 μm were divided into three samples using sieves. Four soil pollution elements, including nickel, copper, zinc, chromium, were detected, and sizes were analyzed. The results show that all these four elements are found, and nickel and copper are found in all samples. Among the four elements, Ni had the largest mass percentage, followed by Cu, Zn and Cr. These particulate matter account for 1.7% of the cell mass, with the minimum size and median size being approximately 1.45 μm and 162.9 um. The element content reveals the pollution from LIBs and the size distribution provides a basis for the design of the particle filter pore.