• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2015

In this study, cell performance and thermal stability of lithium-ion cells with a polyimide (PI) separator are investigated. In comparison to conventional polyethylene (PE) separator, the PI separator exhibits distinct advantage in microporous structure, leading to superior reliability of the cell. The cells with PI separator exhibit good cell performances as same as the cells with PE separator, but their reliability was superior to the cell with PE separator. Especially in the hot-box test at 150 and 180℃, PI separator showed a contraction percentage close to 0% at 150℃, while the PE separator showed a contraction percentage greater than 10% in both width and length. Therefore, the PI separator can be the promising candidate for separators of the next generation of lithium-ion battery.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 2012

Polyethylene (PE) separator is the most popular separator for lithium-ion batteries. However, it suffers from thermal contraction and mechanical rupture. In order to improve the thermal/mechanical dimensional stabilities, this study investigated the effects of $Si_3N_4$ coating. SCS (Silicon-nitride Coated Separator) has been fabricated by applying 10 ${\mu}m$-thick $Si_3N_4$/PVdF coating on one side of PE separator. SCS exhibits enhanced thermal stability over $100{\sim}150^{\circ}C$: its thermal shrinkage is reduced by 10~20% compared with pristine PE separator. In addition, SCS shows higher tensile strength than PE separator. Employing SCS hardly affects the C-rate performance of $LiCoO_2$/Li coin-cell, even though its ionic conductivity is somewhat lower than that of PE separator.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2002

The separator made from the blends of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was prepared by wet processing to use as Li-ion secondary battery. We investigated effects of the blending of the polymers and the film extension on the mechanical properties of the separator. The mechanical strength of separator increased with increasing molecular weights and contents of UHMWPE, for instance about $1000 kg/\textrm{cm}^2$ with the five times extended film of 6 wt% UHMWPE. The pores of the separator were very uniform with the size of 0.1~$0.12\mu\textrm{m}$. The shut-down characteristic quickly increased at around $130^{\circ}C$ and the fusion temperature was $160^{\circ}C$, so it could be applied to the lithium ion secondary battery.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.598-602
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• 2008

In this study we prepared crosslinked separators with the improved thermal stability by irradiating a commercial polyethylene (PE) separator for lithium secondary battery with an electron beam, and the thermal and mechanical properties of the prepared separators were evaluated as a function of the absorption dose. The thermal shrinkage of electron beam irradiated separator was decreased with increasing absorption dose. As a result of the shutdown behavior using an AC impedance, it was observed that the irradiated separator had the better shutdown function than the unirradiated separator. The modulus of the irradiated separator was enhanced as the absorption dose was increased, while the tensile strength and the break elongation of the irradiated separator were decreased.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2013

In this study, we prepared separators with improved thermal stability by coating microporous polyethylene (PE) film for lithium secondary battery using poly(meta-phenylene isophthalamide) (Nomex). The mechanical and thermal properties of prepared separators were evaluated by thermal stability test and TMA as a function of the Nomex concentration and coating parameters. The corresponding coated PE separator showed better thermal and mechanical properties than the original PE separator. Electrochemical properties were also assessed by ionic conductivity, cyclic voltammetry and charge/discharge cycle.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.517-521
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• 2010

Microprous polyethylene (PE) membranes are widely used as lithium-ion battery separators. A separator having higher meltdown temperature than PE separator is still required for useful safety feature at a high temperature. To enhance meltdown temperature of PE separator, it was coated with polymers synthesized from bis-GMA derivatives by radical polymerization. Polymer was not formed when bis-GMA monomer having a high viscosity was used, while polymers were formed when bis-GMA derivatives having a low viscosity were used. When the separator was coated with polymer synthesized from reaction mixture containing proper amount of bis-GMA derivative, its meltdown temperature were increased up to $160^{\circ}C$ without reduction in the air permeability.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.123-130
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• 1997

The characteristics of microporous separator for lithium ion secondary battery was introduced. Microporous separator is a key component of a lithium ion secondary battery because its basic properties were related with the performance and safety of the battery. Up to now, stretched microporous polyolefins such as polyethylene(PE) separator were mainly applied. It is still required to enhance wettability and shut-down property. For this purpose, the application of fluorovinylic polymers and surface modification of conventional polyolefinic microporous membrans we being continuously tried.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.45-51
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• 2019

As the separator becomes thinner, the role of thermal stability becomes more important in ensuring the high capacity of medium- and large-sized lithium-ion secondary batteries. In this study, we researched coating technology to improve the separator's thermal stability. We minimized the coating time by optimizing the design of a vertical two-stage coater that was thin, uniform, and capable of coating on both sides at the same time with a maximum 2㎛ thickness coating layer of fluorinated polymer (PVdF-HFP) on the bare polyethylene (PE) separator, which increased the thermal stability. In addition, during the coating process, a dual-jacket-roll method of drying was developed that increased the drying effectiveness without thermal damage to the separator. We also investigated the thermal stability of the separator manufactured from a coating machine, and studied the battery-applied performance by making a lithium-ion pouch battery.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.466-474
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• 2018

The high theoretical energy density ($2600Wh\;kg^{-1}$) of Lithium-sulfur batteries and the high theoretical capacity of elemental sulfur ($1672mAh\;g^{-1}$) attract significant research attention. However, the poor electrical conductivity of sulfur and the polysulfide shuttle effect are chronic problems resulting in low sulfur utilization and poor cycling stability. In this study, we address these problems by coating a polyethylene separator with a layer of activated carbon powder. A lithium-sulfur cell containing the activated carbon powder-coated separator exhibits an initial specific discharge capacity of $1400mAh\;g^{-1}$ at 0.1 C, and retains 63% of the initial capacity after 100 cycles at 0.2 C, whereas the equivalent cell with a bare separator exhibits a $1200mAh\;g^{-1}$ initial specific discharge capacity, and 50% capacity retention under the same conditions. The activated carbon powder-coated separator also enhances the rate capability. These results indicate that the microstructure of the activated carbon powder layer provides space for the sulfur redox reaction and facilitates fast electron transport. Concurrently, the activated carbon powder layer traps and reutilizes any polysulfides dissolved in the electrolyte. The approach presented here provides insights for overcoming the problems associated with lithium-sulfur batteries and promoting their practical use.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2011

We develop a new nonwoven composite separator for a safer lithium-ion battery, which is based on coating of silica ($SiO_2$) colloidal particles/styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) binder to a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nonwoven support. The $SiO_2$ particles are interconnected by the SBR binder and closely packed in the nonwoven composite separator, which thus allows for the development of unusual porous structure, i.e. highly-connected interstitial voids formed between the $SiO_2$ particles. The PET nonwoven serves as a mechanical support that contributes to suppressing thermal shrinkage of the nonwoven composite separator. The $SiO_2$/SBR content in the nonwoven composite separators plays an important role in determining their separator properties. Porous structure, air permeability, and electrolyte wettability of the nonwoven composite separators, in comparison to a commercialized polyethylene (PE) separator, are elucidated as a function of the $SiO_2$/SBR content. Based on this understanding of the nonwoven composite separators, the effect of $SiO_2$/SBR content on the electrochemical performances such as self-discharge, discharge capacity, and discharge C-rate capability of cells assembled with the nonwoven composite separators is investigated.