One-step fabrication of robust lithium ion battery separators by polymerization-induced phase separation

Manly, Alexander J.; Tenhaeff, Wyatt E.

doi:10.1039/d1ta10730e

Title: One-step fabrication of robust lithium ion battery separators by polymerization-induced phase separation

Journal Article · Fri Apr 08 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Journal of Materials Chemistry. A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/d1ta10730e· OSTI ID:1982228

Manly, Alexander J. ^[1];

^[1]

Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States)

Conventional lithium ion battery separators are microporous polyolefin membranes that play a passive role in the electrochemical cell. Next generation separators should offer significant performance enhancements, while being fabricated through facile, low cost approaches with the ability to readily tune physicochemical properties. This study presents a single-step manufacturing technique based on UV-initiated polymerization-induced phase separation (PIPS), wherein microporous separators are fabricated from multifunctional monomers and ethylene carbonate (EC), which functions as both the pore-forming agent (porogen) and electrolyte component in the electrochemical cell. By controlling the ratio of the 1,4-butanediol diacrylate (BDDA) monomer to ethylene carbonate, monolithic microporous membranes are readily prepared with 25 μm thickness and pore sizes and porosities ranging from 6.8 to 22 nm and 15.4% to 38.5%, respectively. With 38.5% apparent porosity and an average pore size of 22 nm, the poly(1,4-butanediol diacrylate) (pBDDA) separator takes up 127% liquid electrolyte, resulting in an ionic conductivity of 1.98 mS cm^–1, which is greater than in conventional Celgard 2500. Lithium ion battery half cells consisting of LiNi_0.5Mn_0.3Co_0.2O₂ cathodes and pBDDA separators were shown to undergo reversible charge/discharge cycling with an average discharge capacity of 142 mA h g^–1 and a capacity retention of 98.4% over 100 cycles – comparable to cells using state-of-the-art separators. Moreover, similar discharge capacities were achieved in rate performance tests due to the high ionic conductivity and electrolyte uptake of the film. Finally, the pBDDA separators were shown to be thermally stable to 374 °C, lack low temperature thermal transitions that can compromise cell safety, and exhibit no thermal shrinkage up to 150 °C.

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Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Cell Analysis, Modeling and Prototyping (CAMP) Facility

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO); National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357; 1845805

OSTI ID:: 1982228

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1863102

Journal Information:: Journal of Materials Chemistry. A, Vol. 10, Issue 19; ISSN 2050-7488

Publisher:: Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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