Lithium-ion battery (Li-ion Battery)

Li-ion battery is also secondary battery

In this battery LiCoO2 acts as cathode, graphite acts as anode and lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) acts as
electrolyte
The electrolytes are selected in such a way that they should effectively transport of Li-ion to the cathode during
discharge.
Principle
 Lithium-ion batteries are all about the movement/transfer of lithium (Li) ions between the anode (-ve electrode)
and cathode (+ ve electrode) through lithium electrolyte.
The Li ions move in one way when the battery discharges (when it supplies power) and in the opposite way when
the battery charges (when it absorbs power)
During discharge process (when it supplies power), Li ions come out from the anode ( graphite (-ve electrode)) and
moves across the electrolyte to reach the cathode and finally added into the crystal structure of the cathode material
During charging process (when it absorbs power), Li ions (yellow circles) present in the cathode (+ electrode(red)) is
ionized and moves to the anode (-ve electrode(blue)) through the electrolyte (gray) and again added into it.
At the same time, the electrons also flow from the cathode (+ electrode (red)) to the anode (-ve electrode (blue)) in
external circuit and at the anode (-ve electrode (blue)) the electrons and Li + ions will combine and deposit lithium
there.

This image is not

This image is required for exam
required for
exam

1
When no more ions will flow, the battery is fully
charged and ready to use.
During discharging, the ions flow back through
the electrolyte from the anode(negative electrode)
to the cathode (positive electrode).
 Electrons flow from the anode(negative
electrode) to the cathode (positive electrode)
through the outer circuit, powering your laptop.
When the ions and electrons combine at the
positive electrode, lithium is deposited there.
When all the ions have moved back, the battery is
fully discharged and needs charging up again.

2
The chemical reaction that takes place inside the battery is as
follows,
During charging operation

LiCoO2 + C6 (graphite) → Li1-X CoO2 + LiX C6 (LiX graphite)

During discharging operation

Li1-X CoO2 + LiX C6 (LiX graphite) → LiCoO2 + C6 (graphite)

Thus charging and discharging cycle simply sweep Li + ions
back and forth between two electrodes with electrons flowing
through external circuit to keep the charge balance.

• A typical Li-ion battery can store 150 watt-hours of electricity in 1 kilogram of

battery as compared to lead acid batteries can sore only 25 watt-hours of
electricity in one kilogram
• All rechargeable batteries suffer from self-discharge when stored or not in use.
• Normally, there will be a three to five percent of self-discharge in lithium ion
batteries for 30 days of storage. 3
Applications

Li-ion battery is widely used in mobile phone, laptop, digital camera, emergency light, medical

equipment, etc.