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A paper-supported inorganic composite (PIC) separator is prepared by spraying Al 2 O 3 particles onto both surfaces of a commercial paper substrate. The as-prepared PIC separator shows excellent thermal stability without any shrinkage at 130 °C for 30 min, superior wettability towards the electrolyte, with a contact angle of 0°, and high ionic conductivity compared with that of the conventional polyethylene (PE) separator. The graphite|LiCoO 2 full-cells with the PIC separator exhibit good cycling and rate performance. In the nail penetration tests, the pouch cell assembled with the PIC separator shows high safety characteristics. Given the advantages of the PIC separator, it is a good potential replacement for the polyolefin separators used in high-safety lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Processing of Li ion cell electrodes on a pilot paper machine by spray coating. [•] Use of microfibrillated cellulose in the formulation of the electrode slurry. [•] Electrodes displayed excellent mechanical properties and good cycling performances. [•] Pilot scale validation of new/high throughput technology for electrodes processing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A commercial rice paper (RP) is used for the first time as a separator membrane in lithium-ion batteries. It consists of interpenetrating cellulose fibers with a diameter of about 5–40μm to form a highly porous structure. The RP is found to be electrochemically stable at a potential below 4.5V vs. Li+/Li. Several kinds of electrode materials including graphite, LiFePO4, LiCoO2 and LiMn2O4 are used to test the compatibility of the RP in Li-ion batteries and to compare with a commercial polypropylene/polyethylene/polypropylene separator membrane. The RP separator with the same thickness gives rise to a lower resistance than the commercial separator. Due to the wonderful flexibility, high porosity, low cost and excellent electrochemical performance of the RP membrane, it is promising to partially replace commercial separators in lithium-ion batteries for low power applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Paper, invented more than 2,000 years ago and widely used today in our everyday lives, is explored in this study as a platform for energy-storage devices by integration with 1D nanomaterials. Here, we show that commercially available paper can be made highly conductive with a sheet resistance as low as 1 ohm per square (π/sq) by using simple solution processes to achieve conformal coating of single-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) and silver nanowire films. Compared with plastics, paper substrates can dramatically improve film adhesion, greatly simplify the coating process, and significantly lower the cost. Supercapacitors based on CNT-conductive paper show excellent performance. When only CNT mass is considered, a specific capacitance of 200 F/g, a specific energy of 30-47 Watt-hour/kilogram (Wh/kg). a specific power of 200,000 W/kg, and a stable cycling life over 40,000 cycles are achieved. These values are much better than those of devices on other flat substrates, such as plastics. Even in a case in which the weight of all of the dead components is considered, a specific energy of 7.5 Wh/kg is achieved. In addition, this conductive paper can be used as an excellent lightweight current collector in lithium-ion batteries to replace the existing metallic counterparts. This work suggests that our conductive paper can be a highly scalable and low-cost solution for high-performance energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]