Room Temperature Resistive Hydrogen Sensor for Early Safety Warning of Li-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become one of the most competitive energy storage technologies. However, the “thermal runaway” of LIBs leads to serious safety issues. Early safety warning of LIBs is a prerequisite for the widely applications of power battery and large-scale energy storage systems. As reported, hydrogen (H2) could be generated due to the reaction of lithium metal and polymers inside the battery. The generation of H2 is some time earlier than the “thermal runaway”. Therefore, the rapid detection of trace hydrogen is the most effective method for early safety warning of LIBs. Resistive hydrogen sensors have attracted attention in recent years. In addition, they could be placed inside the LIB package for the initial hydrogen detection. Here, we overview the recent key advances of resistive room temperature (RT) H2 sensors, and explore possible applications inside LIB. We explored the underlying sensing mechanisms for each type of H2 sensor. Additionally, we highlight the approaches to develop the H2 sensors in large scale. Finally, the present review presents a brief conclusion and perspectives about the resistive RT H2 sensors for early safety warning of LIBs.

High performance H2 sensors based on NiO-SnO2 nanosheets in temperature-pulsed operation mode

“…H 2 also poses a significant flammability risk, as its presence in the air ranging from ∼4 to 75 vol.% may lead to explosion [18]. Further, 'thermal runaway' frequently plagues rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) under rapid or extended cycling conditions, attributed to the inevitable growth of lithium dendrites on graphite anodes [19]. Detecting H 2 within LIB cells serves as an effective early warning indicator for LIBs, due to the generation of H 2 resulting from the reaction between lithium dendrites and common electrode polymer binders [20].…”