Synthetic polymer-based membrane for lithium Ion batteries

Efficient energy storage systems are increasingly needed due to advances in portable electronics and transport vehicles, lithium-ion batteries standing out among the most suitable energy storage systems for a large variety of applications. In lithium-ion batteries, the porous separator membrane plays a relevant role as it is placed between the electrodes and serves as a charge transfer medium and affects the cycle behavior. Typically, porous separators membranes are comprised of a synthetic polymeric matrix embedded in the electrolyte solution. The present chapter focus on recent advances in synthetic polymers for porous separation membranes, as well as on the techniques for membrane preparation and physicochemical characterization. The main challenges to improve synthetic polymer performance for battery separator membrane applications are also discussed.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2019, UID/QUI/50006/2019, UID/QUI/0686/2016 and UID/EMS/00151/2019. The authors thank FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme and National Funds through FCT under the project PTDC/FIS-MAC/28157/2017, Grants 38 SFRH/BPD/117838/2016 (JNP). and SFRH/BPD/112547/2015 (C.M.C). Financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) through the project MAT2016-76039-C4-3-R (AEI/FEDER, UE) (including the FEDER financial support) and from the Basque Government Industry and Education Departments under the ELKARTEK, HAZITEK and PIBA (PIBA-2018-06