Abstract: A battery is disclosed that includes two contact areas, an electrolyte, and an electronically conductive material that, at a neutralization trip point temperature, increases electronic conductivity internal to the battery between the first contact area and the second contact area. In one embodiment, the electronically conductive material is void from being activated external to the battery. In another embodiment, the battery includes a semiconductor material that includes custom doping to provide the increased electron conductivity at the neutralization trip point temperature. In yet another embodiment, the battery includes an insulator for separating the electronically conductive material until a temperature internal to the battery reaches the neutralization trip point temperature, at which point permits the electronically conductive material to increase the electronic conductivity between the first contact area and the second contact area.

Abstract: An example of the present invention is provided with porous sheets 11, 21 each formed by layering a porous base material including a polyolefin and a heat-resistant porous layer including a heat-resistant resin. The porous sheets 11, 21, respectively, are connected at connecting regions 15a and 15b, 25a and 25b, respectively, which have been formed by thermal fusion of the heat-resistant porous layers facing each other by folding the sheets. Furthermore, the porous sheets 11, 21 are additionally connected at a connecting region 27 that has been formed by thermal fusion.

Abstract: A secondary battery including an electrode assembly including a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material layer, a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material layer, a separator separating the positive and negative electrodes from each other, and an electrolyte. The separator includes a porous layer comprising a ceramic material and a binder, and a polyolefin-based resin layer. The porous layer has a centerline average roughness (Ra) of 0.3 ?m to 1.5 ?m, the polyolefin-based resin layer has a porosity of 30% to 60%, and the polyolefin-based resin layer has a compressibility of 4% to 10%.

Abstract: A method of making a separator for an electrochemical battery cell of a lithium ion battery includes electrospinning a non-woven polymer fiber mat onto a collection face of a collector substrate. The separator may be formed entirely of the electrospun non-woven polymer fiber mat or it may be a multi-layer composite that contains other components in addition to the electrospun non-woven polymer fiber mat. The collector substrate comprises an electrode (positive or negative) optionally covered with a ceramic particle layer such that electrospinning of the non-woven polymer fiber mat forms an electrode-separator integral segment. The electrode-separator integral segment may then be assembled into an electrochemical battery cell of a lithium ion battery.

Abstract: A separator for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery that at least includes a resin (A) having a crosslinked structure, which is obtained by irradiating with an energy ray an oligomer polymerizable by irradiation with an energy ray. The separator has an average pore size of 0.005 to 0.5 ?m, an air permeability of 50 sec/100 mL or more and less than 500 sec/100 mL, where the air permeability is expressed as a Gurley value, and a thermal shrinkage of less than 2% at 175° C. The separator for a nonaqueous secondary battery can be produced by the production method of the present invention, which includes the steps of: applying to a substrate a separator forming composition containing the oligomer, two or more kinds of solvents having different polarity from each other, and the like; irradiating the applied composition with an energy ray; and drying the energy ray-irradiated composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to separators for electrochemical cells comprising (A) at least one layer comprising (a) crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone in the form of particles, (b) at least one binder, and (c) optionally a base structure, where the mass ratio of the crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone in the form of particles (a) to the sum of the mass of the binders (b) in the layer (A) has a value in the range from 99.9:0.1 to 50:50. The present invention further relates to the use of inventive separators and to apparatuses, especially electrochemical cells, comprising inventive separators.

Abstract: To obtain a separator for a nonaqueous electrolyte battery that has an excellent nonaqueous electrolyte permeability into an electrode and an excellent electrolyte retentivity of the electrode and achieves a large capacity, a high energy density and a good high-temperature charge characteristic. A separator 3 used for a nonaqueous electrolyte battery is formed by disposing a porous layer 2 made of inorganic fine particles and a resin binder on a porous separator substrate 1, the resin binder is made of at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyimide resins, polyamide resins and polyamideimide resins and the molecular chain of the resin has a halogen atom content of 10% to 30% by weight, and the content of the resin binder in the porous layer is 5% by weight or more.

Abstract: Provided is a propylene resin microporous film which has excellent lithium ion permeability, and can be used to fabricate a high-performance lithium ion battery and prevent short circuits between positive and negative electrodes by dendrites. The propylene resin microporous film has micropores formed by uniaxially stretching a propylene resin film, a degree of air permeability of 100 to 400 s/100 mL, and a rate of surface aperture of 30 to 55%.

Abstract: The invention relates to microporous membranes having a thickness 19.0 micrometer or less, the membranes having a relatively high porosity, air permeability and puncture strength. Such membranes can be produced by extrusion and are suitable for use as battery separator film.

Abstract: A process for producing a porous laminate having many micropores interconnected in the thickness direction, which comprises: a step in which a laminate is produced which comprises at least three layers comprising an interlayer made of a thermoplastic resin having a hard segment and a soft segment and two nonporous outer layers made of a filler-containing resin and located as outer layers respectively on both sides of the interlayer; a step in which the laminate obtained is impregnated with a supercritical or subcritical fluid and this state is relieved to vaporize the fluid and thereby make the interlayer porous; and a step in which the two nonporous outer layers located respectively on both sides are made porous by stretching.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microporous polyethylene film for use as battery separator. The microporous polyethylene film according to the present invention is characterized by having a film thickness of 5-40 ?m, a porosity of 35-55%, a permeability from 2.5×10?5 to 10.0 10?5 Darcy, a puncture strength of at least 0.10 N/?m at 90° C., a puncture angle of at least 30° at 90° C., and a permeability from 2.0 10?5 to 8.0 10?5 Darcy after shrinking freely at 120° C. for 1 hour. The microporous polyethylene film in accordance with the present invention has very superior puncture strength and thermal stability at high temperature and takes place of less decrease of permeability due to low thermal shrinkage at high temperature, as well as superior permeability. Therefore, it can be usefully applied in a high-capacity, high-power battery to improve thermal stability and long-term stability of the battery.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a method for producing a separator for nonaqueous electrolyte electricity storage devices, the method allowing avoidance of use of a solvent that places a large load on the environment, and also allowing relatively easy control of parameters such as the porosity and the pore diameter. The present invention relates to a method for producing a separator for nonaqueous electrolyte electricity storage devices that has a thickness ranging from 10 to 50 ?m, the method including the steps of: producing an epoxy resin composition containing an epoxy resin, a curing agent, and a porogen; forming a cured product of the epoxy resin composition into a sheet shape or curing a sheet-shaped formed body of the epoxy resin composition, so as to obtain an epoxy resin sheet; and removing the porogen from the epoxy resin sheet by means of a halogen-free solvent.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a separator is provided. The method includes providing a porous non-woven substrate, and coating a first resin on the non-woven substrate, wherein the first resin includes hydrophilic oxyalkyl compounds, oxyalkyl polymers, oxyalkenyl alkyl polymers or derivatives thereof. The disclosure also provides a separator prepared by the method.

Abstract: A polyimide blend nanofiber and its use in battery separator are disclosed. The polyimide blend nanofiber is made of two kinds of polyimide precursors by high pressure electrostatic spinning and then high temperature imidization processing, wherein one of the polyimide precursor does not melt under high temperature ,and the other is meltable at a temperature of 300-400° C. The polyimide blend nanofiber of present invention has high temperature-resistance, high chemical stability, high porosity, good mechanical strength and good permeability, and can be applied as battery separator.

Abstract: A porous thin-film polymer separator for use in a lithium ion battery may be formed by a phase separation method in which hydrophobic-treated ceramic particles are used to help induce the formation of a tortuous, interconnected network of pores coextensively across the thickness of the separator. As part of the phase separation method, a wet thin-film layer is formed from a polymer slurry that comprises a polymer solvent in which a polymer material is dissolved and the hydrophobic-treated ceramic particles are dispersed. The wet thin-film layer is subsequently exposed to a polymer non-solvent to form a solvent-exchanged thin-film precipitated polymer layer which is then heated to produce the separator.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a non-aqueous electrolyte, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator includes a polyolefin layer and an oxidation-resistant layer. The oxidation-resistant layer includes an oxidation-resistant polymer. A main chain of the oxidation-resistant polymer does not include a —CH2— group and a —CH(CH3)— group. The oxidation-resistant layer faces the positive electrode.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to articles that comprise polymeric winged fibers. The winged fibers have a high surface area because of their structure, which includes a core surrounded by a plurality of lobes. Channels of one micron or less in width are formed between adjacent lobes to form paths for the capture and/or transport of gases, liquids or particles. The winged fibers are assembled in woven or non-woven fabrics for use in wipes, absorbent pads, composite structures, apparel, outdoor wear, bedding, filtration systems, purification/separation systems, thermal and acoustic insulation, cell scaffolding, and battery membranes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new bicomponent fiber, a nonwoven fabric comprising said new bicomponent fiber and sanitary articles made therefrom. The bicomponent fiber contains a polyethylene-based resin forming at least part of the surface of the fiber longitudinally continuously and is characterized by a Co-monomer Distribution Constant greater than about 45, a recrystallization temperature between 85° C. and 110° C., a tan delta value at 0.1 rad/sec from about 15 to 50, and a complex viscosity at 0.1 rad/second of 1400 Pa.sec or less. The nonwoven fabric comprising the new bicomponent fiber according to the instant invention are not only excellent in softness, but also high in strength, and can be produced in commercial volumes at lower costs due to higher thoughputs and requiring less energy.

Abstract: A separator for an energy storage cell that is provided by a microporous web that includes an irreversible porosity-controlling agent a method for changing an operating characteristic of an energy storage cell.

Abstract: A secondary battery includes: an electric cell layer including a stack structure sequentially including: a positive electrode layer, a separator layer, and a negative electrode layer having an electrolyte higher in conductivity than an electrolyte of at least one of the separator layer and the positive electrode layer.

Abstract: A porous membrane for a secondary battery including non-electroconductive particles and a binder for a porous membrane, wherein the non-electroconductive particles are particles of a polymer, an arithmetic mean value of a shape factor of the non-electroconductive particles is 1.05 to 1.60, a variation coefficient of the shape factor is 16% or less, and a variation coefficient of a particle diameter of the non-electroconductive particles is 26% or less; manufacturing method thereof; and an electrode, a separator and a battery having the same.

Abstract: A cross-linked microporous polymeric battery electrode separator membrane is described. Such membranes, which would otherwise be soluble above a particular, generally high temperature in selected battery electrolyte systems, once at least in part cross-linked, swell in the electrolyte at the particular higher temperature instead of dissolving. When the membrane separators are restrained between solid electrodes in a battery, the separator cannot increase in bulk volume, and the swelling occurs within the pores with the pore volume decreasing from its original bulk volume. The drop in pore volume causes the battery current density to drop, thereby reducing the heat generation within the hot area of the battery. This process provides a measure of safety against overheating and fires, and the battery is capable of continued usage if the overheating is localized.

Abstract: Provided is a separator for a rechargeable lithium battery including a porous support including a polymer derived from polyamic acid or a polymer derived from polyimide, wherein the polyamic acid and the polyimide include a repeating unit prepared from aromatic diamine including at least one ortho-positioned functional group relative to an amine group and dianhydride.

Abstract: A method for removing a process solvent (P-sol) from a polymer extrudate, especially in connection with a process for producing a microporous membrane. The method involves contacting the extrudate with chlorinated hydrocarbon (CHC) and hydrofluoroether (HFE) in a first stage; contacting the extrudate from the first stage with HFE in a second stage; combining the first and second waste streams and then separating the P-sol from the combined streams to make an HFE-CHC stream; cooling the HFE-CHC stream to make an HFE-rich phase and a CHC-rich phase; and conducting the CHC-rich phase and/or the HFE-rich phase to step (A).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crosslinking polymer-supported porous film for battery separator, including: a porous film; and a crosslinking polymer supported on the porous film, the crosslinking polymer having a plurality of cation-polymerizable functional groups in the molecule thereof and having oxyalkylene groups represented by general formula (I): in which the Rs may be the same or different and each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and n represents an integer of 4 to 9, in a side chain thereof.

Abstract: A nonaqueous secondary battery separator which is a composite porous membrane obtained by integrally covering both sides of a polyolefin microporous membrane having a gas permeability (JIS P8117) of between 15 seconds/100 cc·?m and 50 seconds/100 cc·?m per unit thickness and a film thickness of between 5 ?m and 25 ?m, with a porous layer composed of polymetaphenylene isophthalamide, and which exhibits both a shutdown function and effective heat resistance for meltdown resistance, as features desired for high-energy-density, high-output, large-sized, high-performance nonaqueous secondary batteries, while also having excellent handleability and ion permeability. The film thickness of the composite porous membrane is between 6 ?m and 35 ?m, the gas permeability (JIS P8117) is between 1.01 and 2.00 times that of the polyolefin microporous membrane, and the polymetaphenylene isophthalamide coating amount is between 1.0 g/m2 and 4.0 g/m2.

Abstract: A production method for producing a separator for an electrochemical device including the steps of: applying, to a base material, a separator forming composition containing a monomer or an oligomer and a solvent; irradiating the thus formed coating with an energy ray to form a resin (A) having a cross-linked structure; and drying the coating after formation of the resin (A) to form pores, wherein, as a solvent of the separator forming composition, a solvent (a) having a solubility parameter (SP value) of 8.1 or more and less than 8.9 is used, or a solvent (b) having an SP value of 7 or more and 8 or less and a solvent (c) having an SP value of 8.9 or more and 9.9 or less are used in combination. A separator for an electrochemical device produced by the production method, and an electrochemical device of the invention including the separator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a porous nanoweb including first and second nanofilaments, which facilitates to perform heat resistance simultaneously with a shutdown function for preventing a battery explosion caused by an abnormal heat generation, and to realize small thickness and easy control of porosity, wherein, if the porous nanoweb is used as a battery separator for a secondary battery, it allow the good battery efficiency and good safety owing to the low resistance, the porous nanoweb comprising the first nanofilament having a melting temperature not more than 200° C.; and the second nanofilament having a melting temperature not less than 210° C.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte is provided that includes a non-aqueous solvent and an electrolyte salt, wherein the non-aqueous solvent contains a fluorinated ether (1) represented by the following Formula: HCF2CF2CF2CH2—O—CF2CF2H (1). This non-aqueous electrolyte has good wettability to a polyolefin separator, can provide a battery with excellent load characteristics for a long period, does not easily decompose in the battery under high-temperature storage, and causes little gas generation due to decomposition. Furthermore, a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery is provided that includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and the above-described non-aqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrode assembly of a secondary battery includes a cathode including a cathode active material layer, an anode including an anode active material layer, and a ceramic coating layer formed on at least one of surfaces of the cathode and anode that face each other. The ceramic coating layer includes a ceramic powder and a binder. The specific surface area of the ceramic powder is more than 1.5 m2/g and less than 15.0 m2/g, and, in the particle size distribution of the ceramic powder, the D10 value is more than 0.05 ?m and the D90 value is less than 3.0 ?m.

Abstract: Provided are separators used in power accumulators such as lithium ion secondary batteries and a preparation method thereof. The said separators are obtained through following steps: providing a polymer colloidal emulsion through a polymerization reaction of polyvinyl alcohol, hydrophobic monomer and hydrophilic monomer in water solution initiated by an initiator; coating a plastic substrate with the said polymer colloidal emulsion using tape-casting method; drying the plastic substrate coated with the polymer colloidal emulsion, and then obtaining the said separators by delaminating them from the substrate. The said separators have good liquid absorbability, high liquid absorption rate and retention, low resistivity, good mechanical strength and good thermal stability (little thermal shrinkage and little size distortion) as well as electrochemical stability. The prepared lithium ion batteries have good cycle stability and long service life.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separator film for a device used for storing electrical energy, the film being porous and oriented, and being obtained by stretching in a longitudinal direction and in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, the film containing a mixture comprising a polypropylene homopolymer, at least 10% of a copolymer obtained from monomers comprising at least propylene and ethylene, and at least one beta-nucleating agent. According to the invention, the ethylene content of the copolymer is ?1% but <10% and a propylene content of the copolymer is ?90% for a film thickness of ?8 microns and ?30 microns, corresponding to a specified space factor according to the IEC-60674-3-1 standard greater than or equal to 145% and a density of the biaxially stretched film greater than or equal to 0.18 g/cm3 but less than or equal to 0.41 g/cm3.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium-ion battery includes a positive electrode having a first capacity and a negative electrode having a second capacity that is less than the first capacity such that the battery has a negative-limited design. The negative electrode includes a lithium titanate active material. A liquid electrolyte that includes a lithium salt dissolved in at least one non-aqueous solvent a porous polymeric separator are located between the positive electrode and negative electrode. The separator is configured to allow lithium ions to flow through the separator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biaxially oriented single- or multilayer porous foil, the porosity of which is generated by transformation of ss-crystalline polypropylene during orientation of the foil. The Gurley value of the foil is <250 s. The invention also relates to a process for producing the foil by using a low transverse stretching velocity for the transverse orientation process.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing battery separators for use in a lithium-ion battery containing non-aqueous electrolytes, producing batteries being resistant to thermal runaway and explosion, includes the steps of preparing a dryblend comprising two UHMW Polyethylenes and Calcined Kaolin, feeding said dry-blend into an extruder, melt-kneading said dry blend in the extruder while feeding mineral oil, making a solution from a die into the form of a sheet, using casting rolls, thereby cooling the solution down, producing a thick gel sheet, stretching the gel sheet in both machine and transverse directions, producing a 20 micron thick gel sheet containing oil thereby, extracting the oil by use of a solvent and drying the film, heat-setting the film and producing a microporous membrane.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microporous polymeric membrane including: heat-setting the microporous polymeric membrane in at least a first stage and a final stage, the first stage being upstream of the final stage and a temperature of the first stage being at least 15° C. cooler than a temperature of the final stage.

Abstract: A separator for a redox flow battery including a proton conductive polymer including a first repeating unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 1a and a second repeating unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 1b, and a redox flow battery including the same. In Chemical Formulas 1a and 1b, each substituent is the same as defined in the detailed description.

Abstract: A film made of a fluorinated polymer of the polyvinylidene fluoride type having suitable properties for use as a lithium storage battery separator is produced using a phase inversion technique in which a solution containing the fluorinated polymer is brought into the presence of an atmosphere laden with water vapor to precipitate the fluorinated polymer. The fluorinated polymer can be precipitated by placing the support on which the solution is deposited, in which the fluorinated polymer has been previously dissolved, in an enclosure containing an atmosphere laden with water vapor and thermostatically regulated to a temperature comprised between 30° C. and 70° C. The relative humidity content during precipitation of the fluorinated polymer is advantageously between about 60% and about 98%.

Abstract: A secondary battery capable of improving the cycle characteristics is provided. The secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution. The anode has an anode current collector, an anode active material layer that is provided on the anode current collector, and contains an anode active material containing at least one of a simple substance of silicon, an alloy of silicon, a compound of silicon, a simple substance of tin, an alloy of tin, and a compound of tin, and a coat that is provided on the anode active material layer, and contains an ionic polymer containing lithium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new, improved or modified polymer materials, membranes, substrates, and the like and to new, improved or modified methods for permanently modifying the physical and/or chemical nature of surfaces of the polymer materials, membranes, or substrates for a variety of end uses or applications. For example, one improved method uses a carbene and/or nitrene modifier to chemically modify a functionalized polymer to form a chemical species which can chemically react with the surface of a polymer substrate and alter its chemical reactivity. Furthermore, this invention can be used to produce chemically modified membranes, fibers, hollow fibers, textiles, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrostatic dissipative thermoplatic urethanes (TPU) and compositions thereof. The present invention provides a composition comprising: (a) an inherently dissipative polymer and (b) a halogen-free lithium-containing salt. The invention also provides a shaped polymeric article comprising the inherently dissipative polymer compositions described herein. The invention also provides a process of making the inherently dissipative polymer compositions described herein. The process includes the step of mixing a halogen-free lithium-containing salt into an inherently dissipative polymer.

Abstract: A polyolefin-based split-type conjugate fiber according to the present invention is a polyolefin-based split-type conjugate fiber obtained by composite spinning including a first component containing a polypropylene-based resin and a second component containing a polyolefin-based resin, wherein the first component contains, as a primary component, a polypropylene resin having a Q value (the ratio between the weight average molecular weight Mw and the number average molecular weight Mn) of 6 or greater and a melt flow rate according to JIS K 7210 (MFR at a measurement temperature of 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kgf (21.18 N)) of 5 g/10 min or greater and less than 23 g/10 min, and the first component and the second component are adjacent to each other in a cross section of the polyolefin-based split-type conjugate fiber.

Abstract: A polymer for bonding the positive electrode and negative electrode of a lithium secondary battery, which includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte solution, with a separator arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The polymer contains a cationically polymerizable monomer unit (A), a monomer unit (B) providing affinity to the electrolyte solution, a monomer unit (C) providing poor solubility to the electrolyte solution, and a monomer unit (D) containing an anionic or nonionic hydrophilic group. This polymer can be obtained through radical polymerization such as emulsion polymerization or suspension polymerization, and is characterized by having a dissolution rate into a mixed solvent of ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethyl carbonate (DEC) [EC:DEC=5:5 (weight ratio)] of not more than 10% by weight.

Abstract: In order to provide a porous polypropylene film in which the ratio of change in air permeability is small and the initial air-permeating property is satisfactory even under high temperature environment, a porous polypropylene film is proposed, satisfying the following conditions (1) and (2) regarding air-permeability (Pa1) at 20° C. and air-permeability (Pa2) after heating at 95° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a film containing a thermoplastic resin, the method comprising: a step of feeding a material containing a thermoplastic resin and having a pair of opposed flat portions to between a pair of rollers with the thermoplastic resin in a molten state, and a step of rolling, with the pair of rollers, the pair of flat portions being stacked, thereby welding the flat portions to each other to form a united film, wherein the material to be fed to between the rollers is two separate films each having a flat portion or one flat cylindrical film having a pair of opposed flat portions linked together by connecting portions at their end portions.

Abstract: The invention provides a battery separator comprising a porous resin film and a crosslinked polymer supported thereon and having iminodiacetic acid groups in side chains of the polymer chains. The iminodiacetic acid group is preferably represented by the formula wherein M1 and M2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a lithium atom, a potassium atom, a sodium atom, or triethylamine. It is preferred that the layer of the crosslinked polymer is substantially nonporous or solid, and ion conductive, and that the crosslinked polymer has in the molecule oxetanyl groups which are capable of cation polymerization.

Abstract: A composite solid electrolyte includes a monolithic solid electrolyte base component that is a continuous matrix of an inorganic active metal ion conductor and a filler component used to eliminate through porosity in the solid electrolyte. In this way a solid electrolyte produced by any process that yields residual through porosity can be modified by the incorporation of a filler to form a substantially impervious composite solid electrolyte and eliminate through porosity in the base component. Such composites may be made by disclosed techniques. The composites are generally useful in electrochemical cell structures such as battery cells and in particular protected active metal anodes, particularly lithium anodes, that are protected with a protective membrane architecture incorporating the composite solid electrolyte.

Abstract: A porous film includes aromatic polyamide as a constituent component that has high heat resistance, high air permeability and high affinity to electrolytes. It is a porous aromatic polyamide film including aromatic polyamide and a hydrophilic polymer, wherein the hydrophilic polymer accounts for 12 to 50 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the aromatic polyamide, the thickness being 2 to 30 micrometers, the Gurley air permeability being 0.5 to 300 seconds/100 ml, and the thermal shrinkage rate being ?0.5 to 1.0% at 200° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rechargeable lithium battery that includes a positive electrode including a lithium nickel-based positive active material; a negative electrode including a negative active material; an electrolyte including a lithium salt and a non-aqueous organic solvent; and a separator including a polymer substrate and a hydroxide compound-containing coating layer disposed on the polymer substrate.

Abstract: A cross-linked microporous polysulfone or polysulfone copolymer battery electrode separator membrane are described. Such membranes, which would otherwise be soluble above a particular, generally high temperature in selected battery electrolyte systems, once at least in part cross-linked, swell in the electrolyte at the particular higher temperature instead of dissolving. When the membrane separators are restrained between solid electrodes in a battery, the separator cannot increase in bulk volume, and the swelling occurs within the pores with the pore volume decreasing from its original bulk volume. The drop in pore volume causes the battery current density to drop, thereby reducing the heat generation within the hot area of the battery. This process provides a measure of safety against overheating and fires, and the battery is capable of continued usage if the overheating is localized.