Meaning
This dimensionless parameter measures the relative increase in ionic resistance caused by the presence of a porous separator membrane. By dividing the resistivity of the separator saturated with electrolyte by the resistivity of the bulk electrolyte alone, the ratio is established. The Macmullin number quantifies how effectively the separator structure restricts the movement of ions between the cathode and anode.
It is a critical design metric for evaluating separators used in high-power lithium-ion batteries. The value is limited to porous membranes and does not apply to dense, non-porous solid-state electrolyte sheets.
Physical Mechanism
The parameter is determined by the porosity and the tortuosity of the membrane’s internal pore network. A high value indicates that the separator has low porosity or highly winding channels, which slows down lithium ion migration. To measure this value, the electrical resistance of a cell filled with electrolyte is measured with and without the separator.
The ratio of these two resistances yields the Macmullin number, which is independent of the specific electrolyte chemistry used. This value isolates the mechanical and structural influence of the separator from the electrochemical behavior of the liquid.
Commercial Procurement
Sourcing teams utilize this metric to compare the performance of separator membranes from different polymer film manufacturers. A lower value is preferred for high-rate applications like electric vehicles, where rapid charge and discharge are required. The purchase contracts specify the allowed range for this parameter to ensure that the cells will meet power and thermal targets.
Sourcing professionals balance this metric against the mechanical strength and puncture resistance of the membrane to avoid compromising safety. Choosing a separator with an optimized Macmullin number reduces the internal heating of the cell during high-current operations.
Geometric Boundaries
The validity of this metric depends on complete wetting of the separator pores, as dry regions will artificially inflate the value. It assumes that the electrolyte does not chemically alter the polymer structure, which would change the effective pore size during testing. The number does not account for the formation of the solid electrolyte interphase, which adds secondary resistances during actual cell operation.
At extremely high temperatures, polymer relaxation can alter the pore structure, meaning that the room-temperature value may no longer apply. These factors require that the parameter be measured under standardized conditions to ensure accurate product comparison.