A flexible zirconium oxide based-ceramic membrane as a separator for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

A flexible and thermally stable zirconium oxide (ZrO₂)-based porous ceramic membrane (PCM) was prepared with PVdF–HFP as binder. This membrane was found to have 60% porosity with good electrolyte uptake and appreciable Li⁺-ion transport number. TG analysis revealed that this membrane is thermally stable up to 400 °C. The ZrO₂-based membrane exhibited better interfacial and electrochemical properties than the commercially available Celgard 2320 membrane. This ceramic membrane was employed as a separator in a 2032-type coin cell comprising Li/PCM/LiFePO₄ and its charge–discharge profile was analyzed at different C-rates.