Lithium aluminate-based ceramic membranes as separators for lithium-ion batteries

Lithium aluminate, (LiAlO2)-based porous ceramic membrane (PCM) was prepared with poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) as binder. Physical properties such as thermal stability, porosity and tortuosity of the pores were measured. Effective ionic conductivity and compatibility with lithium metal anode were also studied. The porous ceramic membrane was found to be dimensionally stable even at 135 °C. The cycling performance of 2032-type coin cell composed of Li/PCM/LiFePO4 was analyzed at different C-rates. A stable cycling was achieved at 0.1-C rate, which qualifies the membrane for lithium-ion battery applications.