The
evolution of mechanical properties of separators affected by
temperature shifts is imperative for the performance of the lithium-ion
battery. The flexible film characteristics hinder the evaluation of
the micromechanical properties of separators. In the present study,
considering the susceptibility of separators to temperature fluctuations,
the temperature distribution of the battery during the discharging
process at subzero temperature is obtained. Three sets of separator
samples subjected to various temperature shifts are prepared. Through
multicycle depth-sensitive nanoindentation, the temperature-dependent
weakening of elastic modulus and hardness of separators is experimentally
verified. Moreover, the variation trends of elastic modulus, hardness,
and hysteresis response of the separator specimens in terms of temperature
are investigated via extracting from the multicycle loading–unloading
nanoindentation responses. The temperature-dependent variations in
the elastic modulus of the separator were investigated by following
heating, cooling, and thermostatic processes. Meanwhile, the indentation
tests also verify that the effect of temperature shifts on the hardness
exhibits an attenuation trend when heating or cooling is followed
by a thermostatic process. The variation analysis of nanoindentation
hardness as a function of temperature shifts shows typical size effects
dependent on the nanoindentation depth. The temperature-induced residual
stress and elemental distribution are also analyzed through characterization
using X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,
respectively. The obtained evolution law of temperature shift-induced
mechanical properties of a separator could facilitate the optimal
design of the separators and provide the supporting data to enhance
the safety performance of lithium-ion batteries.