Preparation of 4A zeolite coated polypropylene membrane for lithium‐ion batteries separator

ABSTRACT This study aims to improve wettability and thermal resistance of lithium‐ion batteries separators. For this purpose, a commercial polypropylene (PP) separator was coated by 4A zeolite using poly(vinylidene fluoride) as binder and effects of the separators' zeolite content was investigated. All the coated separators showed lower contact angles, higher electrolyte uptakes, and less thermal shrinkages compared to the neat commercial separator. The coated PPA8 separator (zeolite to binder ratio of 8) showed the lowest wettability (contact angle of 0°) and electrolyte uptake (270%) due to its surface porosity resulting from the zeolite particles interstitial cavities as well as their internal cavities. Also, the PPA8 separator ion conductivity was found as 2.25 mS cm −1 and C‐rate and cycling performance of its assembled battery were higher compared to those of the commercial PP separator assembled battery. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136 , 47841.