What Are The Roles Of Phase-changing Materials In The Field Of Automotive Batteries?

Phase Change Materials (PCM) play an important role in the field of automotive batteries, especially in thermal management. The following is the application and function of phase change materials in the thermal management of automotive batteries:

Temperature control: The battery will generate heat during the charging and discharging process, and the uneven temperature distribution may affect the performance and life of the battery. The phase change material can absorb and release a large amount of latent heat near its phase change temperature, thus helping to maintain the stability of the battery temperature.

Thermal energy storage and release: Phase change materials absorb heat when the battery temperature rises and store it as latent heat, releasing this heat when the battery cools. This characteristic makes the phase change material an ideal thermal buffer in the battery thermal management system.

Improve battery performance: By using phase change materials, the performance decline of the battery at extreme temperatures can be reduced, and the charging and discharging efficiency of the battery and the overall performance can be improved.

Extend battery life: The uniform distribution of battery temperature helps to reduce battery aging caused by temperature differences, thus extending the service life of the battery.

Safety improvement: Overheating of the battery is a factor that causes safety problems. Phase-changing materials help prevent excessive battery temperature and reduce safety risks by absorbing excess heat.

System integration: Phase change materials can be integrated into the battery module and combined with existing cooling systems (such as air cooling and liquid cooling) to form a more efficient thermal management system

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Environmental adaptability: In a low-temperature environment, phase-changing materials can release stored heat, help the battery preheat, and improve the start-up performance of the battery under cold conditions.

Lightweight design: Compared with traditional thermal management systems, phase-changing material systems are usually lighter, which helps to improve the energy efficiency of automobiles.

Cost-effectiveness: The long service life and low maintenance cost of phase-changing materials can be used as a cost-effective thermal management solution.

Environmentally friendly: Many phase change materials are non-toxic, non-flammable and environmentally friendly.

In the thermal management of automotive batteries, there are various applications of phase change materials, which can be microencapsulated particles or composite materials combined with matrix materials (such as metal foam and porous materials). Researchers are constantly exploring new materials and methods to improve the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of phase change materials while reducing costs to promote their commercial application in the field of automotive batteries.