between every hexagonal ring of carbon atoms (Besenhard and Schöllhorn 1976; Mizushima et al. 1980; Whittingham 1976).
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The lithium ions travel during charge from the positive electrode (the cathode) through a solid or liquid electrolyte to the negative electrode (the anode) and, during discharge, in the opposite direction. At each electrode, the ion either maintains its charge and intercalates into the crystal structure occupying interstitial sites in existing crystals on the anode side or reoccupies a vacant site in the cathode that formed when the lithium ion left that crystal. While transferring the ion, the host matrix gets reduced or oxidized, which releases or captures an electron.1
VARIETY OF CATHODE MATERIALS
The search for new cathode materials is driven in part by important disadvantages of LiCoO2. The battery has a core temperature of 40–70°C and may be susceptible to some low-temperature reactions. But at 105–135°C it is very reactive and an excellent oxygen source for a safety hazard called a thermal runaway reaction, in which highly exothermic reactions create temperature spikes and accelerate rapidly with the release of extra heat (Roth 2000).
Replacement materials for LiCoO2 are less prone to that failure. The compounds replace parts of the cobalt with nickel and manganese to form Li(NixMnyCoz)O2 compounds (with x + y + z = 1), often referred to as NMC as they contain nickel, manganese, and cobalt; or they exhibit a completely new structure in the form of phosphates (e.g., LiFePO4) (Daniel et al. 2014). These cathode materials all exhibit capacities in the range of 120–160 Ah/kg at 3.5–3.7 V, resulting in maximum energy density of up to 600 Wh/kg.
When packaged in real devices, however, much inactive material mass is added and the energy density tends to drop to 100 Wh/kg on the pack level. To push for higher energy density, researchers have sought higher capacity and higher voltage—and found them in lithium- and manganese-rich transition metal oxides. These compounds are essentially the same materials as NMC but an excess of lithium and higher amounts of manganese replace nickel and cobalt. The higher amounts of lithium (as much as 20 percent more) allow the compounds to have higher capacity (Thackeray et al. 2007) and a higher voltage, resulting in cathodes with up to 280 Ah/kg when charged up to 4.8 V. However, these new compounds show stability problems and tend to fade fast.
BALANCING OF MATERIALS IN CELLS
Lithium ion batteries are made of layers of porous electrodes on aluminum and copper current collector foils (Daniel 2008). The capacity of each electrode
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If you’re wondering how lithium batteries are made, you probably already know that they basically run our entire world. These energy-dense little pods pack a punch, and they power everything from our smartphones to our electric vehicles. If we didn’t have lithium batteries, we would spend much more time tethered to an outlet. Our cellphones might not even fit into our pockets without this technology. So how are lithium batteries made?
This article takes the mystery out of battery-making by discussing the materials, manufacturing, and assembly. Let’s begin.
A lithium-Ion battery is an electrochemical battery that utilizes lithium ions to move electrons and generate voltage. Lithium-ion batteries are some of the most energy-dense and longest-lasting rechargeable batteries available. From cell phones to home backup power systems, these batteries are frequently the heart of portable and off-grid power systems.
There are many different types of lithium-ion batteries and here at Battle Born Batteries, we use LiFePo4 chemistry.
Now that we’ve talked about what lithium-ion batteries are, we can discuss all their different components and materials. Let’s jump in.
Believe it or not, the large lithium batteries you’ll see in boats and RVs actually consist of many smaller cells. Within each of these cells are an anode, cathode, and electrolyte. Thus, each of these cells is a battery that technically could operate on its own. Manufacturers then link them together to create the voltage needed.
A battery produces power when electrons move from the anode through the electrolyte to the cathode. An anode is typically made of some kind of oxidizing metal like graphite or zinc, while a cathode is usually made of some kind of lithium oxide.
Basically, the anode should lose electrons while the cathode should gain electrons. On the other hand, the electrolyte is usually some kind of lithium salt solution that can transport electrons. It’s this lithium salt that provides the excess electrons for the battery to operate.
So how do those individual cells connect to create a larger, more powerful battery pack? With wires and terminals, of course! Essentially, the cells connect to one another in a way that allows the electrons to flow seamlessly through the system. The positives (cathodes) connect to the negatives (anodes) through copper and aluminum terminals and wires.
Finally, within each battery pack lies a Battery Management System (BMS). This important component monitors everything from the battery’s temperature to the charging and draining of each individual cell.
Last but not least, there needs to be a way to protect all of these vital parts. The battery case performs this important function. Typically made of plastic, rubber, or silicon, the tough exterior of the battery shields the cells, internal wires, and BMS from exposure to outside elements that might interfere with the battery’s function.
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Next, let’s explore the process for manufacturing lithium batteries. From cell manufacturing to the battery pack assembly, each step is meticulous to ensure both safety and reliability.
So how are the cells of the lithium battery made? The anode and cathode will start out separate from each other on a large assembly line. This is to prevent any cross-contamination. They both mix with a conductive binder in order to form a slurry, and then foil (aluminum for the cathode, copper for the anode) coats the anode and cathode. A special oven bakes the foil onto the electrodes.
After this, it’s time to wind the cell together and install the terminals. The manufacturer adds vents and other safety measures and puts the electrolyte in through a vacuum (it reacts to oxygen and therefore can’t have any contact with the air). Once the manufacturer closes the case, they can charge and test the cell.
Now let’s look at how those individual cells go together to create a battery pack. First, the manufacturer welds the cells to plates on both the anode side and the cathode side and then assembles them into packs. The manufacturer tests the individual packs and matches them together to form the desired amp-hours (for example, 30 individual cells will create a 100Ah battery).
After this, the manufacturer assembles the packs into a case and connects them to the BMS. The manufacturer will test the battery just like they tested the individual cells and packs to ensure safety and reliability.
Making a safe, high-performing battery requires diligence. As you probably already know, lithium batteries have major safety risks. Faulty manufacturing and improper use can increase these risks. This involves a phenomenon called thermal runaway (essentially, a fire that’s extremely hard to put out). This can happen when the cells aren’t functioning uniformly.
Not only that, but the performance of a poorly made battery will suffer. This is why it’s so important to trust your battery manufacturer. Not only do you want to get your money’s worth, but you also want to sleep well knowing your batteries are high-quality and safe.
Here at Battle Born Batteries, we pride ourselves on strict quality standards and test our cells and batteries multiple times during manufacturing. In addition, we built a proprietary BMS that will prevent our batteries from operating in any condition that could be dangerous.
Battle Born Batteries are assembled in Nevada, USA, and undergo extensive quality control and testing before they leave our facility.It is possible to recycle used batteries and reuse the lithium from them. At this time, the recycling processes are still relatively new, challenging, and expensive.
Additionally, lithium batteries are a fairly new technology, and they last a long time. Many of these batteries have not reached their end of life and don’t need recycling yet. As more batteries need recycling, improving the recycling processes is critical to creating a sustainable future for our natural supply.
Thankfully, companies like Redwood Materials are finding better ways to reuse batteries so we can avoid mining the Earth’s precious resources.
Do you have any questions about how lithium batteries are made? Leave them in the comments below!
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