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Eco-Friendly Membrane Separators Based on Furanoate Polymers for Li-Ion Batteries
Sofia Santi1, Luca Bargnesi2, Giulia Fredi1
1INSTM Research Unit, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy.
Polymers
|October 28, 2025
Summary
Bio-based battery separators made from poly(alkylene 2,5-furanoate)s (PAFs) offer sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based polymers. Poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PBF) mats show enhanced ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability for improved battery performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Sustainable Energy
Background:
- Conventional lithium-ion battery separators derived from petroleum face environmental challenges.
- Bio-based polymers like poly(alkylene 2,5-furanoate)s (PAFs) present sustainable and high-performance alternatives.
- Investigating specific PAFs, poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PBF) and poly(pentamethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PPeF), is crucial for battery applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate electrospun PBF and PPeF mats as novel bio-based battery separators.
- To compare their properties and performance against commercial separators.
- To assess their potential for enhancing battery safety and sustainability.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of electrospun mats from PBF and PPeF.
- Characterization of fiber morphology, porosity, thermal stability, and electrolyte uptake.
- Electrochemical testing, including ionic conductivity (MacMullin number) and cycling performance.
Main Results:
- PBF mats exhibited optimal fiber diameter (~1.0 µm), high porosity (53.6%), and excellent thermal stability (Tg = 25 °C, Tm = 170 °C).
- PBF demonstrated superior electrolyte uptake (531-658 wt%) and lower MacMullin number (3-10) compared to Celgard (15), indicating enhanced ionic conductivity.
- PBF separators achieved stable cycling up to 5 V with 135 mAh/g after 100 cycles and near 100% coulombic efficiency; PPeF showed temperature-sensitive pore closure for safety but limited application in carbonate electrolytes.
Conclusions:
- Electrospun PBF separators offer a promising bio-based alternative with superior ionic conductivity and electrochemical performance.
- PPeF separators provide enhanced safety features through temperature-dependent pore closure, suitable for aqueous systems.
- PAF-based separators have significant potential to advance sustainable and high-performance energy storage solutions.
