Functional separator with lower resistance toward lithium ion transport for enhancing the electrochemical performance of lithium ion batteries

• Published in: Journal of industrial and engineering chemistry (Seoul, Korea) Vol. 71; pp. 228 - 233
• Main Authors: Kim, Ki Jae, Kwon, Yong Kab, Yim, Taeeun, Choi, Wonchang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 25.03.2019; 한국공업화학회
• Subjects: Hydrophilicity; Lithium ion battery; Lithium ion transfer; Separator; Surface treatment; Wettability; 화학공학; Lithium ion battery; Wettability; Lithium ion transfer; Hydrophilicity; Surface treatment; Separator
• ISSN: 1226-086X; 1876-794X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2018.11.029

[Display omitted] •Hydrophilicity is imparted into PE separator by chemical treatment with benzoyl peroxide (BPO).•BPO-PE separator exhibits superior wettability toward polar organic liquid electrolyte of LIBs.•The cell with the BPO-PE separator displays remarkable rate capability (86.7%) compared to the PE separator (78.6%) at a current rate of 3.0C. By chemical treatment with benzoyl peroxide, oxygen-containing functional groups can be successfully introduced to the surface and interior of the PE separator, resulting in improved wettability and high electrolyte uptake without sacrificing mechanical and physicochemical properties. Hence, lithium ion transport across the PE separator treated by benzoyl peroxide is effectively facilitated by the formation of oxygen functional groups, leading to improved ionic conductivity. The LiB cells assembled with the PE separator treated by BPO exhibit remarkable rate capability and outstanding capacity retention (98.1%) after 70 cycles.