| abstract |
A method of forming a porous composite separator layer for an electrochemicalncell comprising the steps of printing a thin layer of a separator precursor solution onnthe surface of one of the electrochemical cell electrodes, curing the thin layer ofnseparator precursor solution so that it transforms into a microporous compositenseparator structure. In the preferred embodiment, the separator precursor solution isnformulated as an ink comprising a silica aerogel filler material dispersed in a solutionnof polymer binder which is dissolved in a suitable solvent. The process allows thenmanufacture of thin and flexible composite separators which are conformally bondednto the underlying electrodes. |