Visualized analysis on thermal runaway related research trends for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

It is well known that lithium-ion batteries(LIBs) plays an important role in the energy storage space. This bibliometric study presents a visualized analysis of research trends related to lithium-ion batteries thermal runaway(LIBsTR) from 1996 to 2024. The annual publication trend shows exponential growth, transitioning from a niche concern to a mainstream priority in battery science. China leads in research output, followed by the United States, while European nations contribute high-quality but fragmented work. Chinese academic institutions are highly productive in this field. Co-authorship analysis reveals a centralized research ecosystem dominated by Chinese teams, with emerging open-collaboration models. The Journal of Energy Storage and the Journal of Power Sources are among the most productive journals, and the latter has the highest citation influence. Citation analysis indicates that top-cited papers have significantly impacted the field, with Chinese-affiliated authors becoming prominent post-2015. Keyword analysis shows that “thermal runaway,” “lithium-ion battery,” and “safety” are core topics. Four keyword clusters identify different research focuses, including battery components, thermal management, battery state diagnosis, and thermal runaway mechanisms. The research evolution has shifted from basic understanding to practical applications. Future research should focus on data-driven methods, early-warning systems, battery thermal management, and the development of high-power and high-energy-density battery safety technologies. However, this study has limitations, such as relying solely on the WoS database and potential tool-related restrictions.