Application Mechanism and Formulation Technology of Amphoteric C6 Fluorocarbon Surfactants in Lithium Battery Fire Extinguishing Agents

#Industry News ·2026-05-26 19:59:27

Technical Overview

Lithium battery fires differ from traditional oil fires, featuring four core characteristics: rapid thermal runaway chain reactions, jet-type re-ignition, prolonged high temperatures, and accumulation of flammable and toxic gases. Conventional water-based and dry powder fire extinguishing agents have drawbacks including delayed cooling, failure to isolate battery cells, high re-ignition rates, and corrosion of battery modules.

Amphoteric firefighting fluorocarbon surfactants adopt an environment-friendly C6 fluorocarbon system free of PFOS and PFOA. With both cationic and anionic amphiphilic structures, they adapt to extreme acidic and alkaline environments. They can drastically reduce the surface tension of aqueous solutions and deliver multiple effects: rapid cooling, film formation for oxygen isolation, free radical scavenging, battery cell passivation and thermal diffusion inhibition. Serving as a key functional component, they are ideal for fires involving power batteries, energy storage power stations and lithium battery workshops. This solution clarifies action mechanisms, precise formula ratios, preparation techniques and performance standards based on industrial application scenarios, enabling direct mass production.

II. Core Application Mechanisms

Relying on its unique molecular structure, the amphoteric fluorocarbon surfactant addresses lithium battery thermal runaway fires via five synergistic core mechanisms to completely eliminate re-ignition risks.

Ultra-low surface tension for rapid penetration and cooling: It lowers the surface tension of aqueous solutions to 15–18 mN/m, far below that of pure water and common hydrocarbon surfactants. The fire extinguishing fluid quickly penetrates cell gaps, electrode assembly separators and shell micropores to remove internal heat and block thermal runaway.
Dual isolation by dense water film and fluorocarbon hydrophobic film: A continuous water film forms to isolate oxygen, while a temperature-resistant fluorocarbon protective film (temperature range: -30℃ to 180℃) resists jet flames and prevents film rupture.
Free radical scavenging to terminate combustion chain reactions: It captures active free radicals to cut off redox chain reactions and stop combustion chemically.
Battery cell passivation and thermal resistance: It forms a protective passivation layer to inhibit cell decomposition and thermal propagation across modules.
Excellent acid and alkali resistance and environmental compatibility: It maintains stable performance in harsh environments and causes low corrosion to equipment.

III. Industrial Precision Formula System (Mass Fraction)

This fluorine-free, eco-friendly and mass-producible aqueous film-forming foam agent is applicable to fixed fire protection systems and portable fire extinguishers. It can put out lithium battery fires within 2 seconds with no re-ignition and low corrosion. All raw materials are commonly used in industry with high cost performance.

Basic Formula (Standard ratio for 1 ton of finished product)

Amphoteric fluorocarbon surfactant (C6, PFOS-free, VF-9129): 3.32%

Special lithium battery flame retardant (imidazoline hydrochloride): 5.00%

Compound hydrocarbon surfactant (Sodium dodecyl sulfonate): 1.00%

Betaine foam stabilizer: 5.37% (Dodecyl dimethyl betaine: 1.38% + Cocamidopropyl betaine: 3.99%)

Solubilizing and foam-stabilizing solvent: 8.25% (Polyethylene glycol: 3.00% + Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether: 3.25% + Ethanol: 2.00%)

Complexing agent (Sodium citrate): 0.05%

Heat-resistant inorganic salt (Sodium chloride): 6.00%

Solubilizing and antifreeze agent (Urea): 8.00%

Deionized water: 63.01%

Analysis of Core Formula Components

The amphoteric fluorocarbon component acts as the core to reduce surface tension and form stable films at high temperatures. Imidazoline flame retardant scavenges free radicals and prevents deep re-ignition. The combination of hydrocarbon and betaine improves foaming performance and low-temperature resistance while cutting costs. The composite solvent enhances compatibility and low-temperature fluidity. Inorganic salts and urea boost film spreadability and system stability.

IV. Standardized Preparation Process (Ready for Industrial Production)

Equipment Requirements

Reaction stirring tank (with constant temperature control, low-speed stirring and filtering devices), precision metering pump, 200-mesh filter sieve and finished product storage tank.

Step-by-Step Preparation Process

Substrate dissolution pretreatment: Add 60% of the total deionized water into the tank, maintain temperature at 35–40℃ and stir at 300 r/min. Add amphoteric fluorocarbon surfactant and stir for 15 minutes until fully dissolved to obtain the fluorocarbon base solution.
Compound functional components: Add sodium dodecyl sulfonate, composite betaine foaming agent, polyethylene glycol and diethylene glycol monobutyl ether in sequence, and stir for 20 minutes.
Add flame retardant and stabilizer: Slowly add imidazoline-based flame retardant and sodium citrate, then stir for 25 minutes.
Prepare additives: Add ethanol, sodium chloride and urea, and stir for 30 minutes until all solids dissolve completely.
Volume adjustment and filtration: Supplement the remaining deionized water, stir for 15 minutes and filter with a 200-mesh sieve.
Aging: Seal and let the product stand at room temperature for 4 hours before filling and storage.

Key Process Control Points

Keep stirring speed at 250–350 r/min. Follow the feeding order: surfactants → solvents → flame retardants → inorganic salts. Control aging temperature between 15℃ and 30℃.

V. Core Performance Indicators of Finished Products (Verified by Tests)

Interfacial performance: Surface tension of aqueous solution ≤ 18 mN/m; spreading time ＜ 0.5 s
Foam performance: Foam expansion ratio ≥ 7.0; 25% drainage time ≥ 4.5 min
Fire extinguishing performance: Open fire extinguishing time for lithium batteries ≤ 2 s; heat resistance duration ≥ 19 min; no secondary re-ignition
Environmental adaptability: Applicable temperature: -25℃ to 55℃; no crystallization or delamination during long-term storage
Safety performance: PFOS/PFOA-free and biodegradable; metal corrosion rate ≤ 0.05 mm/a
Storage stability: Shelf life ≥ 24 months under sealed room-temperature storage; performance attenuation rate ＜ 5%

VI. Optimization Solutions for Application Problems

Low-temperature crystallization and delamination: Raise ethanol content to 2.5% while keeping urea at 8% to adapt to environments as low as -30℃.
Re-ignition risk of high-power energy storage battery clusters: Increase amphoteric fluorocarbon content to 4.0% and flame retardant content to 6.0% for enhanced cooling and passivation.
Trace precipitation during long-term storage: Adjust sodium citrate content to 0.08% and control water conductivity ≤ 5 μS/cm.

VII. Application Scenarios

Fire suppression for power battery packs and battery boxes of new energy vehicles; fire protection systems for industrial, commercial and household energy storage stations; fire safety for lithium battery production, assembly and testing workshops; fire prevention and extinguishing for lithium battery warehousing, logistics and recycling workshops.

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