Poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) separator for improving the heat resistance and power density of lithium-ion batteries

•PMIA separators with a sponge-like structure are developed.•Excellent thermal stability and non-flammability contribute to higher safety.•Separators exhibit superior cell performances than commercial PP-based separators.

A microporous poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) (PMIA) separator with high safety (high-heat resistance and self extinguishing), high porosity and excellent liquid electrolyte wettability was prepared by the traditional nonsolvent introduced phase separation process. Due to the high-heat resistance of PMIA material, the as-prepared separator exhibited a negligible thermal shrank ratio at 160 °C for 1 h. Meanwhile, benefiting from its high porosity and excellent wettability in liquid electrolyte, the liquid electrolyte uptake and the ionic conductivity of the separator were higher than that of the commercial PP-based separators. Furthermore, the cell assembled with this separator showed better cycling performance and superior rate capacity compared to those with PP-based separators. These results suggested that the PMIA separator is very attractive for high-heat resistance and high-power density lithium-ion batteries.