Cellulosic materials-enhanced sandwich structure-like separator via electrospinning towards safer lithium-ion battery.

•Nano fibrous separators based on PVDF/CA/HNT were prepared by electrospinning.•The membranes had unique sandwich structure and outstanding electrolyte uptake.•The membranes kept size stable and exhibited pore-closing performance at 200 °C.•The composite separator showed superior cycle and rate capability.•This composite separator can be considered as candidate for high-performance LIBs.