POLYMERIZABLE ADDITIVES FOR MAKING NON-AQUEOUS RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERIES SAFE AFTER OVERCHARGE

摘要

After undergoing overcharge abuse, non-aqueous rechargeable lithium batterie s can be left in a relatively hazardous state of charge, representing a safety concern with respect to subsequent thermal or mechanical abuse. Electrolyte additive s which electrochemically form conductive polymers can be used to create a short cir cuitinside the battery as a result of overcharge abuse a nd automatically discharge the battery internally. The invention is particularly suitable for batteries equ ipped with electrical disconnect devices which cannot be discharged externally after th e disconnect has activated. Aromatic compounds such as biphenyl are particular ly suitable additives.