There are three classes of commercial cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries: (1) layered oxides, (2) spinel oxides and (3) oxoanion complexes. All of them were discovered by John Goodenough and his collaborators. LiCoO 2 was used in the first commercial lithium-ion battery made by Sony in 1991.
Lithium batteries primarily consist of lithium, commonly paired with other metals such as cobalt, manganese, nickel, and iron in various combinations to form the cathode and anode. What is the biggest problem with lithium batteries?
The first metal used for the cathode of lithium-ion batteries was cobalt. However, cobalt is a rare metal with a low output like lithium, so it has a high manufacturing cost. Now, manganese, nickel, iron, etc. have come to be used as materials that are inexpensive and have a low environmental impact.
Lithium-ion cells can be manufactured to optimize energy or power density. Handheld electronics mostly use lithium polymer batteries (with a polymer gel as an electrolyte), a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO 2 or NMC) may offer longer life and a higher discharge rate.
Lithium, a key component of modern battery technology, serves as the electrolyte's core, facilitating the smooth flow of ions between the anode and cathode. Its lightweight nature, combined with exceptional electrochemical characteristics, makes it indispensable for achieving high energy density (Nzereogu et al., 2022).
This comparison underscores the importance of selecting a battery chemistry based on the specific requirements of the application, balancing performance, cost, and safety considerations. Among the six leading Li-ion battery chemistries, NMC, LFP, and Lithium Manganese Oxide (LMO) are recognized as superior candidates.
OverviewDesignHistoryFormatsUsesPerformanceLifespanSafety
Generally, the negative electrode of a conventional lithium-ion cell is graphite made from carbon. The positive electrode is typically a metal oxide or phosphate. The electrolyte is a lithium salt in an organic solvent. The negative electrode (which is the anode when the cell is discharging) and the positive electrode (which is the cathode when discharging) are prevented from shorting by a separator. The el…