An electrical separator for a lithium battery is composed of a porous
carrier coated with a porous inorganic nonelectroconductive material and
a porous shutdown layer on the porous inorganic nonelectroconductive
coating. The shutdown layer melts at a selected temperature defined by
layer composition. Upon melting, the pores of the inorganic layer are
closed. Such an electrical separator provides a lithium battery of
improved safety. A method to produce the electrical separator is
provided.