Furthermore, the porous separator 26 may be mixed with a ceramic material or its surface may be coated in a ceramic material. For example, a ceramic coating may include alumina (Al2O3), silicon dioxide (SiO2), or combinations thereof. Various conventionally available polymers and commercial products for forming the separator 26 are contemplated, as well as the many manufacturing methods that may be employed to produce such a microporous polymer separator 26.
In various aspects, the porous separator 26 and the electrolyte 30 may be replaced with a solid state electrolyte (SSE) that functions as both an electrolyte and a separator. The SSE may be disposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The SSE facilitates transfer of lithium ions, while mechanically separating and providing electrical insulation between the negative and positive electrodes 22, 24. By way of non-limiting example, SSEs may include LiTi2(PO4)3, Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 (LATP), LiGe2(PO4)3, Li7La3Zr2O12, Li3XLa2/3-xTiO3, Li3PO4, Li3N, Li4GeS4, Li10GeP2S12, Li2S—P2S5, Li6PS5Cl, Li6PS5Br, Li6PS5I, Li3OCl, Li2.99Ba0.005ClO, or combinations thereof.