A battery separator keeps the two electrodes from direct electronic contact while allowing the ionic transport needed for the cell reaction. It is electronically insulating but permeable to relevant ions, commonly through an electrolyte-filled porous structure.
The distinction between ionic and electronic paths makes the circuit work: useful electrons travel through the external load, while ions complete the internal charge balance. Separator thickness and pore structure affect internal resistance and transport. A very low ionic resistance alone is not a complete design goal, because the separator must also maintain separation and compatibility with the cell's chemical environment.
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