High-performance lithium batteries achieved by electrospun MXene-Enhanced cation-selective membranes

Conventional separators applied in lithium batteries face limitations like low porosity, poor electrolyte wettability, lower cation selectivity, and thermal instability, which impact battery performance and safety characteristics. Besides the challenge in separator design, transition metal ion migration from positive electrodes during cycling greatly accelerates capacity fading because of unrestricted diffusion of transition metal cation across the separator. This study explores an innovative strategy for the separator design by incorporating MXene (spraying MXene solution on both sides of the separator), a two-dimensional material, into electrospun Polyacrylonitrile/Polyetherimide membranes with the function of cation selection. Li+ can be accelerated, and its transference number increases along with the anion limitation in the MXene layer. Ni, Co, and Mn ion dissolution from the positive electrode is inhibited due to the cation selectivity of the MXene layer. Leveraging electrospinning advantages, the resultant membranes exhibit high porosity, excellent liquid absorption, mechanical strength, and superior thermal properties. Benefiting from MXene's layered structure and excellent adsorption ability, the membrane significantly inhibits the dissolution of transition metal ions while enabling smooth lithium deposition due to its cation selectivity. Eventually, the Li||NMC811 batteries deliver outstanding cyclic performance (91.3% capacity retention after 200 cycles) and robust lithium dendrite suppression (800 hours of stable cycling). Moreover, the MXene-modified membrane demonstrates exceptional electrolyte wettability, significantly improving ionic transference number (0.67) and conductivity (1.6 mS cm-1). Modification of membrane surfaces with MXene offers insights into addressing transition metal ion migration from the positive electrode material perspective, providing a promising avenue for high-performance LIBs.