SEPARATOR AND LITHIUM BATTERY INCLUDING THE SAME

This application relates to a separator and a lithium battery employing the same. In one aspect, the separator includes a porous substrate and a coating layer disposed on a surface of the porous substrate. The coating layer includes organic particles, a first binder, and inorganic particles. The organic particles have a first melting point of about 100° C. to about 130° C. The first binder has a second melting point higher than the first melting point by about 30° C. or more. The organic particles are coated by or embedded in the first binder. The separator can maintain a network structure even at a high temperature, making it possible to improve the high-temperature stability of a lithium battery by employing the separator, as well as delaying a rapid increase in temperature and heat generation when a shutdown occurs.