Preparation of poly(vinyl alcohol)-based separator with pore-forming additive for lithium-ion batteries

In this work, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based separators with microporous structure were prepared from a casting solution composed of PVA resin, water as solvent, and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) polymer as pore controlling additive by non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) wet-process and investigated in lithium-ion batteries. The effects of PVP on the morphology and properties of the separator, such as porosity, electrolyte wettability, thermal stability and battery performance (discharge capacity, C-rate capability and cycleability) were systematically analyzed. Results show that PVP induced more pores on the bottom surfaces and the electrolyte uptake, ionic conductivity was further improved. Finally, a 10 wt% PVA-based separator with PVP solid content of 6 wt% exhibited greatly improved porosity, electrolyte uptake, ion conductivity and thermal resistance, resulting in the cell with high safety performance and matched electrochemical performance. The results demonstrated that the PVA-based separator with PVP as pore controlling additive can be a successful candidate serving as an effective separator for lithium-ion battery. Additionally, the present method of producing the microporous separator for LIBs is simple, environmentally benign and economically viable.