This report discusses the development and performance characterization
of cellulose nanofiber based composite separators. A
wet-laid process was bench-scaled to prepare the composite separators
comprising cellulose fibers and ceramic particles. Cellulose
is the most abundant biorenewable material, and natural cellulose
fibers have excellent mechanical strength and thermal stability. The
ceramic particles have been used to conveniently control the
permeability of the composite separators. The other two potential
functions of the ceramic particles include improving the nonwoven
mat uniformity and increasing the mat resistance to
dendrite (or metal particle) penetration due to their excellent
compressive strength.