Flexible ceramic based 'paper separator' with enhanced safety for high performance lithium-ion batteries: Probing the effect of ceramics impregnation on electrochemical performances.

Cellulose is now considered as an appealing environment friendly material for the development of sustainable separators for rechargeable batteries. This study thus aims to develop high performance paper based ceramic separators with superior electrolyte wettability (>170 %), high thermal stability (>200 °C) and excellent flame safety. While developing paper based ceramic separator, extensive studies are carried out to understand thenature and functionality of different nano-structured ceramic materials (Al 2 O 3 , BaTiO 3 and ZrO 2) impregnated in paper matrix. Nano-ZrO 2 facilitates an effective pathway for Li +-ion transport (t Li + = 0.51), whereas BaTiO 3 and Al 2 O 3 ceramics show moderate Li +-ion transport properties (t Li+ of 0.29 and 0.30 respectively). Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurement clearly reveals that ZrO 2 exhibits more interfacial compatibility with the electrodes (MCMB and LiNi 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 O 2) compared to the other two ceramic separators during full cell operation. The developed paper separators show excellent electrochemical properties in terms of cycling (tested 300 cycles), multi-electrode compatibility and rate capabilities at different current densities of 0.1–1.2 mAcm−2. The pre- and post-electrochemical EIS data reveal that ZrO 2 based impregnation offers significantly lower charge transfer resistance compared to the other two separators. The study thus demonstrates a real promise for its successful application in Li-ion battery towards achieving sustainability and safety. [Display omitted] • Sustainable, flexible and high safety ceramic based paper separators for LIBs. • Separators were developed using easy to scale up wet-coating process. • Ceramic impregnation affects physical and electrochemical properties of the separators. • Paper separators show superior electrolyte wettability and high thermal stability. • Better electrochemical performances and flame safety are other important advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]