What Is a Lithium-Ion Battery?
Lithium-ion batteries power the lives of millions today, but do you know what a lithium-ion battery is? This technology is becoming increasingly popular because it recharges quickly, provides high energy density, and is lightweight.
What is a Lithium-Ion Battery?
A lithium-ion or Li-ion battery is a rechargeable battery made of cells. This advanced battery technology uses lithium ions as the critical component in its electrochemistry. Li-ion batteries’ safety, cost, performance, and chemistry can vary across different types.
Before discussing the details of a lithium-ion battery, it’s essential to understand its basics and how it works. A typical battery consists of an anode, cathode, separator, electrolyte, and positive and negative current collectors. Electrical current flows from the positive current collector through a powered device to the negative current collector. The separator blocks the electrons’ flow inside the battery.
How Does a Lithium-Ion Battery Work?
Now, let’s dive into how a lithium-ion battery works. The life of a lithium-ion battery is defined by the total number of full discharge and charge cycles it can undergo before it reaches the failure threshold, which is determined by impedance rise and capacity loss. Several factors affect the battery’s cycle life, including the state of charge, charge current, discharge current, and temperature.
During operation, lithium ions move from the anode, pass through the electrolyte, and reach the cathode, recombining with electrons and becoming electrically neutral. During discharge, the lithium atoms in the anode are ionised and separated from the electrons.
The Working of Li-Ion Batteries
Lithium ions are small enough to move through a micro-permeable separator between the anode and cathode. Due to their small size, Li-ion batteries can have a high voltage and store a significant charge per unit mass and volume. When a lithium-ion battery provides electric current, the anode releases lithium ions to the cathode, generating an electron flow from one side to the other.
Li-ion batteries can use several materials as electrodes. Lithium cobalt oxide (cathode) and graphite (anode) are the most common combinations. Typically, they use an organic compound such as ether as the electrolyte.
What are the Three Types of Lithium-Ion Batteries?
- Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO):
- They are commonly used in mobile phones, laptops, and cameras due to its high energy density.
- Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP):
- It is known for its long cycle life, safety, and thermal stability. It is often used in electric vehicles and solar energy systems.
- Lithium Manganese Oxide (LMO):
- It provides high thermal stability and safety and is used in power tools and medical devices.
Why is it Called a Lithium Battery?
It’s called a lithium battery because it uses lithium ions as the primary component in its electrochemical reactions. These ions move from the anode to the cathode during discharge and back when charging.
How Long Do Lithium-Ion Batteries Last?
The lifespan of lithium-ion batteries depends on their usage and care. Typically, they last between 2 to 3 years or around 300 to 500 charge cycles. Proper maintenance can extend its lifespan by avoiding extreme temperatures and not fully discharging the battery.
The Advantages of Li-Ion Batteries
Here are some advantages of using lithium-ion batteries:
- High Voltage and Energy Density:
- Li-ion batteries can deliver 3.6 volts, three times the voltage of Ni-MH and Ni-Cd batteries, making them suitable for high-power applications.
- Low Maintenance:
- These batteries are low maintenance and highly efficient. They do not require scheduled cycling to maintain their battery life.
- No Memory Effect:
- Unlike other batteries, Li-ion batteries do not suffer from memory effects, where repeated partial charging and discharging can reduce capacity.
- Environmentally Friendly:
- They do not contain toxic substances like cadmium, making them easier to dispose of safely.
Conclusion
Now that you know what a lithium-ion battery is, it’s clear that they are an excellent choice for many applications. Li-ion batteries are increasingly used for power backups in inverters, with inverters featuring built-in Li-ion batteries becoming more common. Research continues to improve their lifespan, energy density, safety, and cost-efficiency while addressing safety concerns related to the volatility and flammability of the organic solvent in typical Li-ion battery electrolytes.
The Li-ion 1250 inverter by Luminous, a leader in power solutions, comes with a built-in lithium battery and offers numerous benefits for your household.
