3/5/24, 11:29 AM Composition of Lithium-ion Battery | Anode, Cathode & Electrolyte

Composition of Lithium-ion Battery

Lithium-ion Battery
A lithium-ion battery, also known as the Li-ion battery, is a type of secondary
(rechargeable) battery composed of cells in which lithium ions move from the
anode through an electrolyte to the cathode during discharge and back when
charging.

The cathode is made of a composite material (an intercalated lithium compound)

and defines the name of the Li-ion battery cell. The anode is usually made out of
porous lithiated graphite. The electrolyte can be liquid, polymer, or solid. The
separator is porous to enable the transport of lithium ions and prevents the cell from
short-circuiting and thermal runaway.

Chemistry, performance, cost, and safety characteristics vary across types of

lithium-ion batteries. Handheld electronics mostly use lithium polymer batteries
(with a polymer gel as electrolyte), a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) cathode material,
and a graphite anode, which offer high energy density.

Li-ion batteries, in general, have a high energy density, no memory effect, and low
self-discharge. One of the most common types of cells is 18650 battery, which is
used in many laptop computer batteries, cordless power tools, certain electric cars,
electric kick scooters, most e-bikes, portable power banks, and LED flashlights. The
nominal voltage is 3.7 V.

Note that non-rechargeable primary lithium batteries (like lithium button cells
CR2032 3V) must be distinguished from secondary lithium-ion or lithium-polymer,
which are rechargeable batteries. Primary lithium batteries contain metallic lithium,
which lithium-ion batteries do not.

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