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Effect of hydroxy-terminated hyperbranched polymer coated separator on the lithium-ion battery performances

  • Qingpeng He , Lei Ding EMAIL logo , Dandan Li , Yuanjie Zhang and Sihang Zhang
Published/Copyright: May 10, 2024
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Abstract

The hydrophobicity of polyolefin separators causes poor compatibility with the internal environment of lithium-ion batteries and thus elevates lithium-ion migration barriers. In this research, hydroxy-terminated hyperbranched polymer (HTHP) coated separators are fabricated successfully based on the simple and easy-on impregnation method. Abundant hydroxyl groups in HTHP reinforce separator electrolyte affinity, generating the much lower contact angle and higher electrolyte uptake. Accordingly, HTHP-coated separators show broader electrochemical window and superior ionic conductivity and Li+ transport number, which facilitate the Li+ migration within porous pathways and hence maximally weaken counteranions-induced polarizations. The lower interfacial resistances also guarantee the Li+ accelerated diffusion via the separator–electrodes interfaces. Therefore, batteries containing modified separators exhibit optimized C-rate capacity and cycling stability. However, immoderate HTHP coating blocks partial pores and thus restricts Li+ transference, which deteriorates C-rate capacity and cycling durability in turn. This separator modification scheme possesses advantages of simple preparation, environment-friendly, and low manufacturing cost, providing practical guidance for low-cost and high-performance separator manufacture.


Corresponding author: Lei Ding, Shandong Key Laboratory of Chemical Energy Storage and New Battery Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaocheng University, no. 1, Hunan Road, Liaocheng 252000, China, E-mail:

Funding source: Liaocheng University Doctoral Initial Fund

Award Identifier / Grant number: 318052137

Award Identifier / Grant number: ZR2022QB050

  1. Research ethics: All the authors have read and approved this version of the article, due care has been taken to ensure the integrity of the work and the work described has not been published previously. No part of this article has been published or submitted elsewhere.

  2. Author contributions: The authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  3. Competing interests: The authors state no conflict of interest.

  4. Research funding: The authors thank the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2022QB050) and the Liaocheng University Doctoral Initial Fund (318052137) for financial support.

  5. Data availability: The raw data can be obtained on request from the corresponding author.

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Received: 2024-01-28
Accepted: 2024-04-15
Published Online: 2024-05-10
Published in Print: 2024-08-27

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