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Separator technologies for lithium-ion batteries

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Abstract

Although separators do not participate in the electrochemical reactions in a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, they perform the critical functions of physically separating the positive and negative electrodes while permitting the free flow of lithium ions through the liquid electrolyte that fill in their open porous structure. Separators for liquid electrolyte Li-ion batteries can be classified into porous polymeric membranes, nonwoven mats, and composite separators. Porous membranes are most commonly used due to their relatively low processing cost and good mechanical properties. Although not widely used in Li-ion batteries, nonwoven mats have the potential for low cost and thermally stable separators. Recent composite separators have attracted much attention, however, as they offer excellent thermal stability and wettability by the nonaqueous electrolyte. The present paper (1) presents an overview of separator characterization techniques, (2) reviews existing technologies for producing different types of separators, and (3) discusses directions for future investigation. Research into separator fabrication techniques and chemical modifications, coupled with the numerical modeling, should lead to further improvements in the performance and abuse tolerance as well as cost reduction of Li-ion batteries.

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Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Ion C. Halalay, Ingrid A. Rousseau, Hamid G. Kia, and Mark W. Verbrugge at General Motors and Jonathon Hitt at Optimal Resources LLC for the valuable discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical Sciences and Materials Systems Lab, General Motors Global R&D, 30500 Mound Rd., Warren, MI, 48090, USA

    Xiaosong Huang

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  1. Xiaosong Huang
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Correspondence to Xiaosong Huang.

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Huang, X. Separator technologies for lithium-ion batteries. J Solid State Electrochem 15, 649–662 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-010-1264-9

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