| abstract |
A freestanding, microporous polymer sheet (30) is composed of a polymer matrix binding and electrically conductive matrix (52, 56). The polymer matrix preferably includes UHMWPE, and the electrically conductive matrix (52, 56) preferably contains one of a carbonaceous material and a metal oxide, or a combination thereof. The UHMWPE is of a molecular weight that provides sufficient molecular chain entanglement to form a sheet with freestanding characteristics. Multiple microporous sheets can be wound or stacked in a package filled with an electrolyte to function as electrodes in an energy storage device, such as a battery or an ultracapacitor. |