LITHIUM ION (Li-ion) BATTERY

A lithium ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses lithium ions as the charge carrier.

There are several types of lithium ion batteries and they are; lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4), lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4) and lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) batteries.

Lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) battery is a type of lithium ion battery chemistry that uses cobalt oxide as the cathode material.

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4) battery is a type of lithium ion battery chemistry that uses iron phosphate as the cathode material.

Lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4) battery is a type of lithium ion battery chemistry that uses manganese oxide as the cathode material.

Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) battery is a type of lithium ion battery chemistry that uses a combination of nickel, manganese and cobalt oxide as the cathode material.

Generally lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries operate at a voltage range of 3.0- 4.2V with a nominal voltage of 3.6-3.7V. Lithium ion batteries have a high capacity typically ranging from 1-10Ah with energy densities of 100-200Wh/kg. Lithium ion batteries have a long cycle life typically ranging from 300-1000 cycles with capacity retention of 80-90% after 500cycles.

The components of lithium ion batteries are as follows; cathode, anode, electrolyte, separator, current collectors and cell casing.

The cathode is typically made of lithium metal oxide such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) or lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) etc.

The anode is typically made of graphite a form of carbon.

The electrolyte is a lithium salt dissolved in an organic solvent such as ethylene carbonate or diethyl carbonate.

The separator is a thin porous membrane that separates the cathode and node preventing electrical shorts.

The current collectors are thin layers of metals typically aluminum or copper that collects electrons from the cathode and anode.

The cell casing is a metal or plastic container that houses the battery’s internal components.

The advantages of lithium ion batteries are; lithium ion batteries have a high energy density making them suitable for applications for portable electronics. Lithium ion batteries have a long cycle life making them suitable for applications that requires frequent charging and discharging. Lithium ion batteries have a low self-discharge rate making them suitable for applications that require long term storage. Lithium ion batteries have a high discharge rate making them suitable for applications that require high power.

The disadvantages of lithium ion batteries are as follows; lithium ion batteries can be prone to thermal runaway leading to fires or explosions. Lithium ion batteries are more expensive than other types of batteries. Lithium ion batteries are difficult to recycle leading to environmental concerns. Lithium batteries can experience capacity degradation over time reducing performance.

The application of lithium ion batteries are widespread in the following industries manufacturing these devices; lithium ion batteries are use in consumer electronic industries for such devices as laptops, smart phones, tablets etc. lithium ion batteries are used in the electric vehicle industry as energy source to power electric vehicles. Lithium ion batteries are used in the renewable energy industry for energy systems such as solar and wind power systems. Lithium ion batteries are used in medical devices such as pacemakers and portable defibrillators.

The future of lithium ion batteries depends on the advances and development of the following technologies; solid state batteries are being developed to improve safety and energy density of lithium ion batteries. Lithium air batteries are being developed to improve the energy density of lithium ion batteries. Grapheme batteries are being developed to improve the performance and safety of lithium ion batteries. Recycling technologies are being developed to improve the sustainability of lithium ion battery.

 

SOURCES:

• Lithium ion batteries: Fundamentals and Applications by Yuping Wu.
• Lithium ion batteries and solar cells: Physical, chemical and mayerials properties by Ming-Fa Lin, Wen-Dung Hsu and Jow-Lay Huang.
• The handbook of lithium ion battery packs design: chemistry, components, types and terminology by John T. Warner.
• Lithium ion batteries edited by Masaki Yoshio, Ralph J. Brodd and Akiya Kozawa.
• Future lithium batteries edited by Aloi Eftekhart.