Polyphenylene Oxide-based Nanofiber Separator Prepared by Electrospinning Method for Lithium-ion Batteries

Abstract

To improve the high temperature safety and charge-discharge performance of lithium-ion batteries, a novel polyphenylene oxide-based nanofiber separator was facilely prepared by electrospinning method and investigated in lithium-ion batteries. Some investigations including morphology, microstructure, electrolyte wettability, thermal resistance and cell performance were carried out. The results demonstrate that the polyphenylene oxide-based separator with fiber diameter of 260 nm exhibits uniform porous structure (with average pore size of 500nm). The porosity is up to 74%, which is about one time higher than that of polyolefin separators. This separator also shows excellent electrolyte uptake (310%) and thermal stability at 150℃ for 60min.Cell performance tests show that the nanofiber separator exhibits better discharge performance and cycle performance compared with the commercial PE separator.

Keywords

• battery
• nanofiber separator
• porosity
• thermal resistance
• electrochemical performance