Question

For good battery performance and economics, each component in battery has several requirements. Write the requirements of cathode, anode and electrolyte of Li-ion battery.

Answer 1

Now a days li-ion or lithium ion batteries are being used in different electrical gadgets and also in electical vehicles due to its high charge-discharge ability (about 80-90%), low self discharge rate ( about .3-2% ) and its high charge cycle capability. Like any other batteries lithium ion battries have also three major components.

1. Cathode ( positive electrode)- In li-ion batteries the cathode is metal oxide of lithium such as lithium cobalt oxide

2. Anode( negative electrode) - In li-ion battery the anode is generally made up of carbon. Generally it is graphite.

3. Electrolyte-The electrolyte is typically a non-aqueous mixture of organic carbonates of lithium ions such as ethyl or diethyl carbonate containing lithium ions.Pure lithium is highly reactive as it reacts vigorously with water to form lithum hydroxide and hydrogen gas. That is why a non-aqueous electrolyte is typically used.

The operation of battery is like when it charges and discharges, ions shuttle between cathode (positive electrode) and anode (negative electrode). On discharge, the anode undergoes oxidation, or loss of electrons, and the cathode sees a reduction, or a gain of electrons. This exchange of charges occurs via the electrolyte.