Organic-inorganic binary nanoparticle-based composite separators for high performance lithium-ion batteries

By Xiao, Wei; Gong, Yaqun; Wang, Hong; Liu, Jianguo; Yan, Chuanwei
Published in New J. Chem. The Royal Society of Chemistry 2016

Abstract

In an effort to improve the thermal resistance and the electrochemical performances of separators for lithium-ion batteries, we demonstrate a facile approach to prepare a novel ZrO2/poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoro-propylene) (PVdF-HFP) binary particle-coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nonwoven composite separator. In this approach, particle-shaped PVdF-HFP was used as a binder for the first time to attach ZrO2 particles to a PET nonwoven substrate by a solvent vapor-induced bonding process. This method can improve the microstructure and surface properties of the composite separator compared with the conventional film-shaped polymer binder. The electrolyte wettability, ionic conductivity and thermal stability of the ZrO2/PVdF-HFP composite separator are superior to those of commercially available microporous polyolefin separators due to the well-connected three-dimensional porous structure and the electrolyte-philic surface properties of the composite separator. As a result, the cells assembled with the composite separator exhibit better cell performance such as the discharge C-rate capability and cycling performance, compared with those assembled with polyolefin-based separators. Conspicuously, the improved performance of the ZrO2/PVdF-HFP separator indicates that binary particle-based composite separators could be potentially applied in next generation lithium-ion batteries.

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