Battery Separator with Ion Exchange Materials

A rechargeable battery cell includes a composite separator having a substrate and an ion exchange material supported by the substrate. First and second electrode materials are separated from each other by the separator and an electrolyte contacts the first and second electrode materials and the separator. In some embodiments at least one of the first and second electrode materials includes a zinc (Zn) containing anode. In other embodiments, at least one of the first and second electrode materials includes a cathode including at least one of nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)), nickel oxyhydroxide (NiOOH), activated carbon and manganese dioxide (MnO).