Introduction
With the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, portable electronic devices, and energy storage systems, lithium battery has become one of the mainstream battery technologies today due to their advantages such as high energy density, long cycle life, and lightweight. However, the safety issues of lithium-ion batteries have always been a focus of concern in the industry. In recent years, frequent incidents such as lithium-ion battery fires and explosions have triggered public concerns about the safety of lithium-ion batteries. This article will explore the safety issues of lithium-ion batteries and their solutions, and briefly mention the LIFMOCER lithium-ion battery brand and the application of lithium batteries in golf carts.

☎ Safety Issues of Lithium Battery

1. Thermal Runaway

Thermal runaway is one of the most serious safety issues of lifepo4 batteries. When the internal temperature of the battery rises to a certain level, a series of exothermic reactions will occur in the positive electrode material, electrolyte, and negative electrode material, causing the temperature to rise further and ultimately leading to battery fire or explosion. Thermal runaway is usually caused by the following reasons:

• Overcharging or Overdischarging: Overcharging can cause the structure of the positive electrode material to be damaged and release oxygen; overdischarging may cause the copper current collector of the negative electrode to dissolve, leading to a short circuit.
• Internal Short Circuit: The damage of the separator inside the battery or the growth of metal dendrites may cause the positive and negative electrodes to come into direct contact, resulting in a short circuit.
• External High Temperature Environment: The high temperature environment will accelerate the internal chemical reactions of the battery, increasing the risk of thermal runaway.

2. Flammability of the Electrolyte

The organic electrolytes used in traditional lithium batteries are highly flammable. Once the battery leaks or ruptures, the electrolyte will burn easily when it comes into contact with air, increasing the risk of fire.

3. Mechanical Damage

When lithium-ion battery is subjected to extrusion, puncture, or impact, the internal structure may be damaged, leading to a short circuit or electrolyte leakage, which in turn causes safety problems.

4. Manufacturing Defects

Tiny defects in the manufacturing process, such as poor alignment of the electrode sheets and uneven thickness of the separator, may pose safety hazards during the use of the battery.

? Solutions to the Safety of Lithium-Ion Batteries

1. Material Improvement

1. Solid-State Electrolytes: Solid-state electrolytes have higher thermal stability and mechanical strength, which can effectively prevent electrolyte leakage and the growth of dendrites, thus reducing the risk of thermal runaway.
2. Flame-Retardant Electrolytes: Developing electrolytes with flame-retardant properties can inhibit the spread of flames when thermal runaway occurs in the battery.
3. High-Stability Positive and Negative Electrode Materials: Using positive and negative electrode materials with higher thermal stability, such as lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄), can reduce the occurrence of thermal runaway.

2. Battery Management System (BMS)

The battery management system is a key technology to ensure the safety of lithium batteries. The BMS monitors the voltage, current, and temperature of the battery in real time to prevent overcharging, overdischarging, and overheating, thereby reducing safety risks. An advanced BMS can also predict the health status of the battery and provide early warnings of potential safety hazards.

3. Structural Design Optimization

• Strengthening the Separator: Using a thicker or composite separator can improve the mechanical strength and puncture resistance of the battery.
• Explosion-Proof Design: Designing an explosion-proof valve on the battery casing can release gas in a timely manner when the internal pressure of the battery is too high, preventing an explosion.
• Modular Design: Dividing the battery into multiple modules and managing each module independently can prevent the failure of a single battery from affecting the entire battery pack.

4. Improvement of Manufacturing Process

By improving the manufacturing process and reducing internal defects of the battery, such as improving the alignment accuracy of the electrode sheets and optimizing the separator coating process, safety hazards can be reduced from the source.

5. Thermal Management Technology

Adopting effective thermal management technologies, such as liquid cooling, air cooling, or phase change materials, can control the operating temperature of the battery and prevent thermal runaway caused by overheating.

✏ Conclusion

The safety issues of lithium-ion batteries are a complex systems engineering, involving multiple aspects such as materials, design, manufacturing, and management. Through material improvement, optimization of the battery management system, enhancement of structural design, and progress in the manufacturing process, the safety risks of lithium iron phosphate batteries can be effectively reduced. The successful application of the LIFMOCER lithium-ion battery brand in fields such as golf carts demonstrates the great potential of lithium-ion battery technology in terms of safety. In the future, with the continuous advancement of technology, the safety of lithium-ion battery will be further improved, providing reliable energy solutions for more application scenarios.