FURI | Spring 2025

Comparing Nanostructured MFI vs DDR Zeolite Membranes Used to Promote Lithium Ion Flux in Li-ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries dominate energy storage due to their high energy density, long cycle life, and efficiency, driven by lithium’s electrochemical potential and lightweight nature. However, flammable electrolytes and low thermal stability in polymer separators pose fire risks from dendrites — needle-like lithium deposits causing short circuits via uneven ion accumulation. Zeolite membranes, with their inherent porous structures, can enhance stability and uniform ion flux, mitigating dendrite formation. Key properties include inter/intraparticle porosity, aspect ratio, porosity distribution, tortuosity, and crystal type (MFI vs DDR). Crystal type’s underexplored role highlights the need to analyze these properties for optimizing zeolite-based ion filters in battery applications.