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Updated: Mar 18, 2026

In Situ Gas Analysis and Fire Characterization of Lithium-Ion Cells During Thermal Runaway Using an Environmental Chamber
Published on: March 31, 2023
Lithium-ion batteries: runaway risk of forming toxic compounds
Amer Hammami1, Nathalie Raymond, Michel Armand
1Laboratoire International sur Les Matériaux Electro-actifs CNRS-UdM, UMR 2289, Université de Montréal, PO Box 6122, Montréal, Québec H3C3J7, Canada.
Abstract:
Lithium-ion batteries are stabilized by an ultrathin protective film that is 10-50 nanometers thick and coats both electrodes. Here we artificially simulate the 'thermal-runaway' conditions that would arise should this coating be destroyed, which could happen in a battery large enough to overheat beyond 80 degrees C. We find that under these conditions the reaction of the battery electrolyte with the material of the unprotected positive electrode results in the formation of toxic fluoro-organic compounds. Although not a concern for the small units used in today's portable devices, this unexpected chemical hazard should be taken into account as larger and larger lithium-ion batteries are developed, for example for incorporation into electric-powered vehicles.
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