In this study we prepared crosslinked separators with the improved thermal stability by irradiating a commercial polyethylene (PE) separator for lithium secondary battery with an electron beam, and the thermal and mechanical properties of the prepared separators were evaluated as a function of the absorption dose. The thermal shrinkage of electron beam irradiated separator was decreased with increasing absorption dose. As a result of the shutdown behavior using an AC impedance, it was observed that the irradiated separator had the better shutdown function than the unirradiated separator. The modulus of the irradiated separator was enhanced as the absorption dose was increased, while the tensile strength and the break elongation of the irradiated separator were decreased.

본 연구에서는 리튬이차전지용 상용 분리막에 전자선을 조사하여 가교구조를 지닌 내열성이 향상된 분리막을 제조하였고 조사선량에 의한 열적, 기계적 특성들을 평가하였다. 전자선 조사된 분리막의 열수축률은 조사선량이 증가할수록 감소하였고 AC impedance를 이용한 shutdown거동 연구 결과 전자선 조사를 하지 않은 분리막보다 우수한 shutdown 특성을 갖는 것으로 확인하였다. 또한, 전자선 조사선량이 증가할수록 분리막의 모듈러스는 향상되는 반면 인장강도와 파단 연신율은 감소됨이 관찰되었다.

Keywords: separator; thermal shrinkage; shutdown; electron beam radiation; lithium secondary battery