In-Situ Construction of Lithium-Ion Channel within PVDF/VNs@PDA Composite Separators for Remarkable Enhanced Cycle Stability and Safety for Lithium Batteries (LIBs)

•Addition of VNs@PDA significantly improved the circulating stability of the separator, with galvanostatic cycling time exceeding 800 h.•Superior cycling performance and rate capability were achieved for the cells using PVDF/VNs@PDA as separators.•The in-situ generation of large finger-like pores was induced by VNs@PDA fillers (2D material) to construct a uniform Li+ pathway.•Enhancement on both hydrophilicity and electrolyte uptake rate of the separators primarily originated from the presence of VNs@PDA.