A reinforced ceramic-coated separator by overall-covered modification of electron-insulated polypyrrole for the safe performance of lithium-ion batteries

The safety of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is a serious and challenging problem that threatens the applications of large-scale energy storage as well as the daily usage of mobile devices. In this work, we developed a rational design of reinforced ceramic-coated separator by modifying the ceramic-coated separator with an overall-covered layer of electron-insulated polypyrrole throughout the entire separator. As a result, the modified separator shows an improved thermal stability without visible shrinkage at 200 degrees C, has a better electrolyte wettability and a higher Li+ transference number of 0.56. With these advantages, cells assembled with the modified separators show better safety performance and an improved rate capability.

Automated summary

Introducing an electron-insulated polypyrrole layer on top of a ceramic-coated separator enhances the thermal stability, electrolyte wettability, and Li+ transference number of lithium-ion batteries. This modification leads to improved safety performance and rate capability of the cells.