Abstract: Described herein is a multilayer microporous film or membrane that may exhibit improved properties, including improved dielectric break down and strength, compared to prior monolayer or tri-layer microporous membranes of the same thickness. The preferred multilayer microporous membrane comprises microlayers and one or more lamination interfaces or barriers. Also disclosed is a battery separator or battery comprising one or more of the multilayer microporous films or membranes. The inventive battery and battery separator is preferably safer and more robust than batteries and battery separators using prior monolayer and tri-layer microporous membranes. Also, described herein is a method for making the multilayer microporous separators, membranes or films described herein.

Abstract: A multilayer porous membrane with two exterior layers and at least one interior layer. The average pore size of the interior layer is greater than that of either of the two exterior layers. The multilayer porous membrane may be used, for example, as or as part of a battery separator. Compared to prior multilayer porous membranes for battery separators, the multilayer porous membrane herein may exhibit at least one of improved thermal properties, improved anti-metal contamination properties, improved ease of manufacture, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an asymmetric porous membrane having two outer layers and at least one inner layers. The outer layers may be asymmetric in thickness, pore size, porosity, tortuosity, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the asymmetric porous membrane has two outer layers and no inner layers. The thickness of one of the outer layers to the other of the outer layers is from 1.1 to 25:1, preferably from 1.1:1 to 10:1, 1.1:1 to 5:1 or 4:1 to 10:1. In some embodiments, both outer layers are PP-containing layers and in some embodiments, one outermost layer may be a PE-containing layer and the other may be a PP-containing layer. The asymmetric porous membrane may be used as or to make a battery separator. In some embodiments, the battery separator may include an asymmetric porous membrane having the thinner of the two outer layers or the layer facing the anode coated with a coating such as a ceramic coating. The battery separator may be used in a liquid electrolyte secondary battery.

Abstract: A new or improved microporous monolayer, bilayer, trilayer, or multilayer membrane, separator membrane, separator, or coated separator is disclosed. The membrane is preferably made up of at least one resin or polymer and at least one additive. The additive may comprise at least one material that improves adhesion of the microporous membrane to a coating, including a polyaramid-containing coating and a PCS coating, or to a different material such as a metallic surface, including an electrode surface. Improvements in adhesion are based on comparisons to similar microporous membranes without the at least one additive. In some preferred embodiments, the at least one additive may comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of a functionalized polymer or the combination of a functionalized polymer and an elastomer. In some embodiments, the functional group of the functionalized polymer may be maleic anhydride (MAH).

Abstract: Described herein is a multilayer microporous film or membrane that may exhibit improved properties, including improved dielectric break down and strength, compared to prior monolayer or tri-layer microporous membranes of the same thickness. The preferred multilayer microporous membrane comprises microlayers and one or more lamination interfaces or barriers. Also disclosed is a battery separator or battery comprising one or more of the multilayer microporous films or membranes. The inventive battery and battery separator is preferably safer and more robust than batteries and battery separators using prior monolayer and tri-layer microporous membranes. Also, described herein is a method for making the multilayer microporous separators, membranes or films described herein.

Abstract: An aqueous epoxidation process stream containing molybdenum and sodium values and organics is treated for organics removal as by incineration and an aqueous solution containing molybdenum and sodium is recovered, cooled, acidified and contacted with activated carbon and an aqueous stream reduced in molybdenum is recovered, further molybdenum reduction can be achieved by treatment with basic ion exchange resin.