Progress in the investigation of electro-thermal coupled catastrophic mechanisms in lithium-ion battery modules

In the many applications of lithium-ion batteries, the problem of thermal failure presents a significant safety risk. This failure is characterized by a sequence of events: the degradation of interface thermal stability, the onset of thermal runaway triggered by internal short circuits within a cell, and the subsequent thermal propagation at both the module and system levels. The coupled electro-thermal catastrophe serves as both a critical dimension in characterizing the thermal failure logic of lithium-ion battery systems and a key breakthrough in managing these thermal failures. This paper provides a thorough analysis of the thermal behaviors, such as self-generated heat, Joule heating, and heat conduction, that affect electrical behaviors during the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer decomposition of a single cell, the separator melting, and heat propagation at the module level for electro-thermal coupling catastrophe in lithium-ion battery systems over long cycles and across multiple scales. The heat generation and heat transfer behaviors associated with electrical phenomena are also analyzed, such as overcharging, overdischarging and battery aging. The paper also reviews the most prominent electro-thermal coupling models for both individual cells and modules, providing a synthesis of the mechanisms that govern the electro-thermal interactions in lithium-ion batteries. By exploring these interactions from both microscopic and macroscopic viewpoints, the study aims to shed light on the future advancements in the management of electro-thermal coupling in battery modules. The goal of this research is to improve the safety and dependability of lithium-ion battery systems through design, operation, and maintenance.