Lithium-ion Battery Separator: Pore Structure Determination Using Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry

March 23, 2023

Overview

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are an advanced energy storage technology that plays a key role in the trend toward renewable and sustainable industrial solutions involving electrification. They have high energy density, high power density, and long cycle life which has driven the adoption of Li-ion batteries. Separators are an important component within a Li-ion battery that mechanically separates the anode and cathode while allowing maximum ionic conductivity of the Li-ion containing electrolyte. Its design and performance directly affect the capacity, cycle life, and safety performance of the battery. 

The AutoPore V uses mercury porosimetry that can be used for characterization of Li-ion battery separators and electrodes. This uniquely valuable technique delivers speed, accuracy, and characterization of properties critical to safety, energy density, and longer cycle life.  Mercury intrusion porosimetry results of analyses of three lithium-ion commercial  separators will be discussed in terms of pore volume distribution, permeability, and pore tortuosity.

Speaker

Tony Thornton

Tony Thornton

Senior Product Scientist Director, Product Integrity and Performance

Tony  Thornton received both his B.S. degree in Chemistry (cum laude) and his M.S. degree in Analytical Chemistry from Emory University in Atlanta, in 1980. Tony’s research at Emory involved liquid chromatography, specifically the use of ion-pair chromatography and isocratic separation of catecholamines and metabolites. His work supported early research into potential treatment of Parkinson’s disease between Emory and the Veterans Administration hospital in Atlanta.
Tony has been a key member of the Micromeritics team since 1980, specifically evolving the study of particle sizing using liquid chromatography. Tony was also instrumental in developing the SediGraph, DigiSizer, and Elzone, and has made significant contributions to development of products for particle size, physisorption, chemisorption and pycnometer product lines. Most recently, Tony was the recipient of the ASTM International 2021 Cavanaugh Award. He was recognized for outstanding promulgation of standard test methods for powder characterization and for masterful leadership in international standards development organizations.

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