Research Review on Safety Performance Analysis of Electrolyte and Separator Materials for Lithium-ion Batteries
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6919/ICJE.202609_12(9).0026Keywords:
Lithium-ion Batteries; Composite Separators; Dendrite Growth; Thermal Runaway Resistance; Safety; Solid-state Electrolytes.Abstract
In recent years, lithium-ion batteries have been highly favoured by the electric vehicle and new energy sectors due to their comprehensive advantages, such as long operating range and high cycle life. However, as research into increasing battery energy density has led to heightened risks and potential hazards, reports of lithium-ion battery explosions have become increasingly frequent in the news, making safety issues increasingly prominent. Dendrite crystal growth, which damages the SEI film, along with the thermal shrinkage and poor heat resistance of traditional separators, are key causes of thermal runaway.Modified composite separators and the development of novel solid-state electrolytes are regarded as effective approaches to balancing performance with commercial market demands. However, there remains a gap in systematic summaries of existing research focusing on safety rather than the increase in the battery’s own capacitance.This paper provides a systematic review of research progress on the safety of various composite separators and electrolytes, analyses the composition design strategies for different thermal runaway prevention systems and their mechanisms of influence on battery performance, and highlights that striking a balance between regulating and synergistic thermal runaway prevention, suppressing dendrite growth, and further enhancing ionic conductivity and large-scale production represents the core challenge of current research.Furthermore, it is proposed that multifunctional integrated design and large-scale fabrication compatible with existing processes represent current key development directions and potential objectives for high-safety lithium-ion batteries.
Downloads
References
[1] S&P Global Market Intelligence. (2026). USGS. (2026).
[2] Liang, G. C. (2013). Lithium iron phosphate cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Science Press.
[3] Wu, X. X., Wu, S. Z., Zhao, J. Q., & et al. (2012). Study on the modification and functionalisation of polyolefin separators for lithium-ion batteries. Synthetic Materials Ageing and Application, 41(4), 43–48.
[4] Li, Y. Q., Yu, L., Hu, W. R., & et al. (2020). Thermotolerant separators for safe lithium-ion batteries under extreme conditions. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 8(39), 20294–20317.
[5] Liu, X., Ren, D. S., Hsu, H. J., & et al. (2018). Thermal runaway of lithium-ion batteries without internal short circuit. Joule, 2, 2047–2064.
[6] Yang, Q. (2018). Modification of lithium-ion battery separators using ceramic-coated separators. Ageing and Application of Synthetic Materials, 47(1), 68–72.
[7] Xu, M. L., Li, X. T., Dong, J., & et al. (2025). Preparation and performance of polyimide-modified polyolefin composite separators. Journal of Donghua University (Natural Sciences Edition), 51(1), 22–30. https://doi.org/10.19886/j.cnki.dhdz.2024.0063
[8] Lu, H., Yang, H. Z., Zhu, Y., & et al. (2026). Research progress on gel polymer electrolytes for sodium-ion batteries. Jiangxi Metallurgy, 46(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.19864/j.cnki.jxye.2026.01.001
[9] Lee, H., Yanilmaz, M., Toprakci, O., & et al. (2014). A review of recent developments in membrane separators for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Energy & Environmental Science, 7(12), 3857–3886.
[10] Nestler, T., Schmid, R., Münchgesang, W., & et al. (2014). Separators – technology review: Ceramic-based separators for secondary batteries. AIP Conference Proceedings, 1597(1), 155–184.
[11] Kim, S., Yang, X., Yang, K., & et al. (2022). Recycling respirator masks into a high-value product: From COVID-19 prevention to a highly efficient battery separator. Chemical Engineering Journal, 430, 132723.
[12] Guan, J., Liu, B., Ding, H., & et al. (2026). The effect of fluorinated carbonate solvents on the performance of high-voltage lithium-ion batteries. Journal of Nanjing University of Technology (Natural Sciences Edition). Advance online publication. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from [no URL provided]
[13] He, L.-P., Sun, S.-Y., Song, X.-F., & et al. (2015). Recovery of cathode materials from spent lithium-ion batteries by ultrasonic cleaning. Waste Management, 46, 523–528.
[14] Yang, K., Liu, Z., Chai, J., & et al. (2022). High-performance polyimide-based separator for a 4.5 V high-voltage LiCoO₂ battery with superior safety. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 282, 125975.
[15] Song, T. Y. (2025). Preparation and application of polyimide-based functionalised porous membranes in lithium-ion batteries [Master's thesis]. Guangdong University of Technology. https://doi.org/10.27029/d.cnki.ggdgu.2025.003846
[16] Chattopadhyay, J., Pathak, S. T., & Santos, F. M. D. (2023). Applications of polymer electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries: A review. Polymers, 15(19), 3907.
[17] Hu, Y. L., Xie, X. X., Li, W., Huang, Q., Huang, H., Hao, S. M., & et al. (2023). Recent progress in polymer electrolytes for solid-state lithium batteries. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 11, 1253–1277.
[18] Liu, X., Jia, H., & Li, H. (2024). Flame-retardant quasi-solid polymer electrolytes for high-safety lithium metal batteries. Energy Storage Materials, 67, 103263.
[19] Ma, S., Zhang, Y. N., Zhang, D. H., Zhang, Y. J., Li, W. B., Ji, K. M., Zhongli, T., & Chen, M. M. (2024). –C≡N-functionalised polycarbonate-based solid-state polymer electrolytes compatible with high-voltage cathodes. Journal of Energy Chemistry, 11.
[20] Lin, Z. Y. (2026). Advances in the application of polymer coatings in lithium-ion battery separators. Coatings Industry.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 International Core Journal of Engineering

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.




