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Application of organic phosphorus compounds in flame-retardant electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries

Zhipei Xu1, Zhenhua Yan2, Zhiwei Miao1, Weisheng Lin3   

  1. 1 State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China;
    2 State Key Laboratory of Advanced Chemical Power Sources, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China;
    3 Department of Ecological and Resources Engineering, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, Fujian Province, China
  • Received:2026-06-29 Accepted:2026-08-13
  • Contact: Weisheng Lin, Zhiwei Miao E-mail:miaozhiwei@nankai.edu.cn;yzh@nankai.edu.cn

Abstract: Organophosphorus compounds have garnered significant attention in the field of functional materials due to their distinctive electronic structures, outstanding flame-retardant properties, and versatile structural designability. In recent years, their role in lithium-ion battery electrolytes has evolved from conventional flame retardancy to encompass interfacial modulation, solvation structure optimization, and enhanced electrochemical stability, establishing them as key molecular platforms for developing high-safety, multifunctional electrolytes. Aimed at undergraduate education in organophosphorus chemistry and electrochemistry, and grounded in cutting-edge energy materials research, this review introduces the thermal runaway processes in lithium-ion batteries and the flame-retardant mechanisms of organophosphorus compounds. It systematically examines representative applications of phosphorus(V) and phosphorus(III) compounds in flame-retardant electrolytes, comparing their flame-retardant efficacy, electrochemical compatibility, and interfacial regulation capabilities. This review is intended to deepen students' understanding of the interconnections among organophosphorus chemistry, electrochemistry, and functional materials, highlight the practical relevance of fundamental chemical principles in battery safety design, and elucidate the contributions of organophosphorus compounds to the construction of safe electrolyte systems.

Key words: Organic phosphorus compounds, Lithium-ion battery, Flame-retardant electrolyte, Flame-retardant mechanism