Multifunction battery separator

Abstract

Use of a flexible, nonconductive, porous, and thermally tolerant ceramic material as a separator in a lithium-ion battery or lithium-sulfur battery is described. The separator can be made of aluminum oxide and provides excellent mechanical and thermal properties that prevent wear and puncture of the separator caused by particles removed from the electrodes during the charging and discharging process. The separator is designed to mitigate effects of melt shrinkage and facilitate the lithium ion transport, in contrast to separators that include a polymeric material, thus preventing short-circuiting between the positive and the negative electrode. Improved wetting and filling of the separator with electrolyte solution are provided, for improved rate capability of the battery (fast charging and discharging). The separator further reduces the potential for thermal runaway in Li batteries.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.