A review of recent developments in membrane separators for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries
12 Nov 2014-Energy and Environmental Science (The Royal Society of Chemistry)-Vol. 7, Iss: 12, pp 3857-3886
TL;DR: In this article, the recent developments and the characteristics of membrane separators for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are reviewed and the outlook and future directions in this research field are also given.
Abstract: In this paper, the recent developments and the characteristics of membrane separators for lithium-ion batteries are reviewed. In recent years, there have been intensive efforts to develop advanced battery separators for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for different applications such as portable electronics, electric vehicles, and energy storage for power grids. The separator is a critical component of lithium-ion batteries since it provides a physical barrier between the positive and negative electrodes in order to prevent electrical short circuits. The separator also serves as the electrolyte reservoir for the transport of ions during the charging and discharging cycles of a battery. The performance of lithium-ion batteries is greatly affected by the materials and structure of the separators. This paper introduces the requirements of battery separators and the structure and properties of five important types of membrane separators which are microporous membranes, modified microporous membranes, non-woven mats, composite membranes and electrolyte membranes. Each separator type has inherent advantages and disadvantages which influence the performance of lithium-ion batteries. The structures, characteristics, manufacturing, modification, and performance of separators are described in this review paper. The outlook and future directions in this research field are also given.
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TL;DR: This review summarizes the key challenges of synthesizing L CO-based LBs with a higher energy density from the perspectives of structure and interface stability, and gives an account of effective modification strategies in view of the electrodes, liquid electrolytes, binders, separators, solid electrolytes and LCO-based full cells.
Abstract: By breaking through the energy density limits step-by-step, the use of lithium cobalt oxide-based Li-ion batteries (LCO-based LIBs) has led to the unprecedented success of consumer electronics over the past 27 years. Recently, strong demands for the quick renewal of the properties of electronic products every so often have resulted in smarter, larger screened, more lightweight devices with longer standby times that have pushed the energy density of LCO-based LIBs nearly to their limit. As a result, with the aim of achieving a higher energy density and lifting the upper cut-off voltage of LCO above 4.45 V (vs. Li/Li+), the development of LCO-based all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) with a Li metal anode and LCO-based full cells with high-performance anodes have become urgent scientific and technological requirements. This review summarizes the key challenges of synthesizing LCO-based LBs with a higher energy density from the perspectives of structure and interface stability, and gives an account of effective modification strategies in view of the electrodes, liquid electrolytes, binders, separators, solid electrolytes and LCO-based full cells. The improvement mechanisms of these modification strategies and the controversy over them are also analyzed critically. Moreover, some perspectives regarding the remaining challenges for LCO-based LBs towards a higher energy density and possible future research focuses are also presented.
355 citations
TL;DR: This review will help to optimize the membrane material for different secondary batteries, and favor the understanding of the preparation-structure-performance relationship of porous membranes in different secondary battery systems.
Abstract: Secondary batteries have received huge attention due to their attractive features in applications of large-scale energy storage and portable electronic devices, as well as electrical vehicles. In a secondary battery, a membrane plays the role of separating the anode and cathode to prevent the occurrence of a short circuit, while allowing the transport of charge carriers to achieve a complete circuit. The properties of a membrane will largely determine the performance of a battery. In this article, we review the research and development progress of porous membranes in secondary battery technologies, such as lithium-based batteries together with flow batteries. The preparation methods as well as the required properties of porous membranes in different secondary battery technologies will be elucidated thoroughly and deeply. Most importantly, this review will mainly focus on the optimization and modification of porous membranes in different secondary battery systems. And various modifications on commercial porous membranes along with novel membrane materials are widely discussed and summarized. This review will help to optimize the membrane material for different secondary batteries, and favor the understanding of the preparation–structure–performance relationship of porous membranes in different secondary batteries. Therefore, this review will provide an extensive, comprehensive and professional reference to design and construct high-performance porous membranes.
328 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a SiO2 hollow nanosphere-based composite solid electrolyte (SiSE) for Li metal batteries is reported, which is fabricated via in situ polymerizing the tripropylene gycol diacrylate (TPGDA) monomer in the presence of liquid electrolyte.
Abstract: The low Coulombic efficiency and serious security issues of lithium (Li) metal anode caused by uncontrollable Li dendrite growth have permanently prevented its practical application. A novel SiO2 hollow nanosphere-based composite solid electrolyte (SiSE) for Li metal batteries is reported. This hierarchical electrolyte is fabricated via in situ polymerizing the tripropylene gycol diacrylate (TPGDA) monomer in the presence of liquid electrolyte, which is absorbed in a SiO2 hollow nanosphere layer. The polymerized TPGDA framework keeps the prepared SiSE in a quasi-solid state without safety risks caused by electrolyte leakage, meanwhile the SiO2 layer not only acts as a mechanics-strong separator but also provides the SiSE with high room-temperature ionic conductivity (1.74 × 10−3 S cm−1) due to the high pore volume (1.49 cm3 g−1) and large liquid electrolyte uptake of SiO2 hollow nanospheres. When the SiSE is in situ fabricated on the cathode and applied to LiFePO4/SiSE/Li batteries, the obtained cells show a significant improvement in cycling stability, mainly attributed to the stable electrode/electrolyte interface and remarkable suppression for Li dendrite growth by the SiSE. This work can extend the application of hollow nanooxide and enable a safe, efficient operation of Li anode in next generation energy storage systems.
323 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a comprehensive review of important findings and developments in this field that have enabled their tremendous success with an overview of very recent trends concerning the active materials for the negative and positive electrode as well as the electrolyte is presented.
314 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a review discusses opportunities for membrane technologies in water and energy sustainability by analyzing their potential applications and current status; providing emerging technologies and scrutinizing research and development challenges for membrane materials in this field.
308 citations
References
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TL;DR: In this paper, the separators used in liquid electrolyte Li-ion batteries are classified into three groups: microporous polymer membranes, non-woven fabric mats and inorganic composite membranes.
1,407 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the most recent advance in the applications of 0D (nanoparticles), 1D(nanowires and nanotubes), and 2D (thin film) silicon nanomaterials in lithium-ion batteries are summarized.
Abstract: There are growing concerns over the environmental, climate, and health impacts caused by using non-renewable fossil fuels. The utilization of green energy, including solar and wind power, is believed to be one of the most promising alternatives to support more sustainable economic growth. In this regard, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) can play a critically important role. To further increase the energy and power densities of LIBs, silicon anodes have been intensively explored due to their high capacity, low operation potential, environmental friendliness, and high abundance. The main challenges for the practical implementation of silicon anodes, however, are the huge volume variation during lithiation and delithiation processes and the unstable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) films. Recently, significant breakthroughs have been achieved utilizing advanced nanotechnologies in terms of increasing cycle life and enhancing charging rate performance due partially to the excellent mechanical properties of nanomaterials, high surface area, and fast lithium and electron transportation. Here, the most recent advance in the applications of 0D (nanoparticles), 1D (nanowires and nanotubes), and 2D (thin film) silicon nanomaterials in LIBs are summarized. The synthetic routes and electrochemical performance of these Si nanomaterials, and the underlying reaction mechanisms are systematically described.
1,365 citations
TL;DR: In this tutorial review, the most recent and significant scientific advances in the field of rechargeable batteries, whose performance is dependent on their underlying chemistry, are covered and special emphasis is given to progress in lithium-based technologies.
Abstract: The constant increase in global energy demand, together with the awareness of the finite supply of fossil fuels, has brought about an imperious need to take advantage of renewable energy sources. At the same time, concern over CO2 emissions and future rises in the cost of gasoline has boosted technological efforts to make hybrid and electric vehicles available to the general public. Energy storage is a vital issue to be addressed within this scenario, and batteries are certainly a key player. In this tutorial review, the most recent and significant scientific advances in the field of rechargeable batteries, whose performance is dependent on their underlying chemistry, are covered. In view of its utmost current significance and future prospects, special emphasis is given to progress in lithium-based technologies.
1,250 citations
01 Jan 1979
914 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a magnetophoretically formed high aspect ratio nano-nodes are used for hot-spot cooling in microfluidic environments, which can be dynamically chained and docked onto the hot spots to establish tuneable high-aspect ratio nanofins for the heat exchange between these hot spots and the liquid coolant.
Abstract: The limitation of hot spot cooling in microchips represents an important hurdle for the electronics industry to overcome with coolers yet to exceed the efficiencies required. Nanotechnology-enabled heat sinks that can be magnetophoretically formed onto the hot spots within a microfluidic environment are presented. CrO2 nanoparticles, which are dynamically chained and docked onto the hot spots, establish tuneable high-aspect-ratio nanofins for the heat exchange between these hot spots and the liquid coolant. These nanofins can also be grown and released on demand, absorbing and releasing the heat from the hot spots into the microfluidic system. It is shown that both high aspect ratio and flexibility of the fins have a dramatic effect on increasing the heat sinking efficiency. The system has the potential to offer a practical cooling solution for future electronics.
855 citations