A brief introduction to the performance and classification of lithium-ion battery separators

June 28, 2022

In the structure of lithium batteries, the separator is one of the key inner layer components. The performance of the lithium-ion battery separator determines the interface structure and internal resistance of the battery, which directly affects the capacity, cycle and safety performance of the battery. The separator with excellent performance plays an important role in improving the overall performance of the battery.

A brief introduction to the performance and classification of lithium-ion battery separatorsA brief introduction to the performance and classification of lithium-ion battery separators

First, the performance of lithium-ion battery separator

The lithium-ion battery separator is located between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and its main function is to separate the positive and negative active materials to prevent the two electrodes from being short-circuited due to contact; in addition, during the electrochemical reaction, it can maintain the necessary electrolyte and form a channel for ion movement . The diaphragm material is non-conductive, and the diaphragm used is different for different types of batteries. For lithium-ion batteries, since the electrolyte is an organic solvent system, the separator is required to have the following properties.

1. In the battery system, its chemical stability is better, and the materials used are resistant to organic solvents.

2. High mechanical strength and long service life.

3. The ionic conductivity of the organic electrolyte is lower than that of the aqueous system. In order to reduce the resistance, the electrode area must be as large as possible, so the diaphragm must be very thin.

4. When an abnormality occurs in the battery system, the temperature rises. In order to prevent danger, when the rapid heat generation temperature (120-140°C) begins, the thermoplastic diaphragm melts, the micropores are closed, and it becomes an insulator to prevent the electrolyte from passing through, thereby achieve the purpose of interrupting the current.

5. From the perspective of lithium batteries, it must be fully impregnated with organic electrolyte, and can maintain a high degree of impregnation during repeated charge and discharge.

The separator materials commonly used in batteries are generally microporous membranes made of cellulose or braided fabrics and synthetic resins. Lithium-ion batteries generally use high-strength, thin-film polyolefin-based porous membranes. Commonly used separators include polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) microporous separators, as well as copolymers of propylene and ethylene, polyethylene homopolymers, etc. .

Second, the classification of lithium-ion battery separators

According to different physical and chemical properties, lithium battery separator materials can be divided into: woven film, non-woven film (non-woven fabric), microporous film, composite film, separator paper, laminated film and so on. Polyolefin materials have excellent mechanical properties, chemical stability and relatively cheap characteristics, so polyolefin microporous membranes such as polyethylene and polypropylene have been used as lithium battery separators in the early stage of lithium battery research and development. Although in recent years there have been studies using other materials to prepare lithium battery separators, such as using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as bulk polymer to prepare lithium battery separators by phase inversion, and studying cellulose composite membranes as lithium battery separator materials. However, until now commercial lithium battery separator materials still mainly use polyethylene and polypropylene microporous membranes.