Recently, active research has been conducted to enhance the power characteristics and thermal stability of lithiumion batteries (LiBs) by modifying separators using a ceramic coating method. However, since the thermal properties and surface features of the separator vary depending on the characteristics of the ceramic powders applied to the separator, it is crucial to manufacture ceramic powders optimized for the separator’s performance. In this study, we evaluated the characteristics of three types of α-alumina (A-1, A-2, and A-3) produced with varying dispersant contents and milling times, in addition to commercial α-alumina (AES-11). Subsequently, the optimized powders (A-3) were coated onto the separator using an aqueous binder for comparison with the characteristics of an AES-11 coated separator and an uncoated PE separator. The A-3 coated separator improved electrolyte wettability with a low contact angle (44.69°) and increased puncture strength (538 gf). Furthermore, it exhibited excellent thermal stability, with a shrinkage value of 5.64% when exposed to 140℃ for 1 hour, compared to the AES- 11 coated separator (6.09%) and the bare PE separator (69.64%).

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become a main energy storage device in various applications, such as portable appliances, renewable energy facilities, and electric vehicles. However, the poor thermal stability of LIBs may cause explosion or fire. The thermal runaway is the result of a failure of the separator inside LIB. Damages like tearing, piercing, and collapsing of the separator were simulated in a mechanical, an electrical, and a thermal way, and small discharge pulses of a few mV were detected at the time of separator damages. From the experimental results, this paper provided a method that can identify the separator failure before thermal runaway in the aspect of a potential explosion and fire prevention measures.