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Lithium-Ion Batteries
Yemeserach Mekonnen Aditya Sundararajan Arif I. Sarwat
IEEE Student Member IEEE Student Member IEEE Member
Department of Electrical & Department of Electrical & Department of Electrical &
Computer Engineering Computer Engineering Computer Engineering
Florida International University Florida International University Florida International University
Email: ymeko001@fiu.edu Email: asund005@fiu.edu Email: asarwat@fiu.edu
Abstract—Lithium ion batteries are one of the most technologies such as plug-in HEVs. For greater application use,
commercially sought after energy storages today. Their batteries are usually expensive and heavy. Li-ion and Li- based
application widely spans from Electric Vehicle (EV) to portable batteries show promising advantages in creating smaller,
devices. Their lightness and high energy density makes them lighter and cheaper battery storage for such high-end
commercially viable. More research is being conducted to better
select the materials for the anode and cathode parts of Lithium
applications [18]. As a result, these batteries are widely used in
(Li) ion cell. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the common consumer electronics and account for higher sale
existing and potential developments in the materials used for the worldwide [2]. Lithium, as the most electropositive element
making of the best cathodes, anodes and electrolytes for the Li- and the lightest metal, is a unique element for the design of
ion batteries such that maximum efficiency can be tapped. higher density energy storage systems. The discovery of
Observed challenges in selecting the right set of materials is also different inorganic compounds that react with alkali metals in a
described in detail. This paper also provides a brief history of reversible way has opened doors to the design of rechargeable
battery technology and their wide applicability in the energy Li-ion batteries [15]. This phenomenon, as defined later, is
market today, the chemistry and principle of operation behind called intercalation, which is the reversible inclusion of
the batteries, and their potential applications even beyond the
energy sector. Safety concerns related to Li-ion batteries have
molecules between two other molecules [2].
also been taken into account considering recent events.
I. INTRODUCTION
Lithium-ion batteries are used in different technologies
such as the Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), which use both
battery as well as electric motor engines to increase the fuel
efficiency [1]. A battery is essentially many electrochemical
cells connected in series or parallel to provide voltage and
capacity. Each cell contains a positive (cathode) and negative
(anode) electrode divided by an electrolytic solution, simply
called as an electrolyte, with dissociated salt that allows ion
transfer between electrodes [2]. When these electrodes are
connected to an external source, electrons are released as a
result of chemical reaction and therefore for current to be
tapped [25]. The electrical energy that a battery is able to give Figure 1 Energy density of different batteries [1]
is a function of both the cell and its capacity which are
dependent on the chemistry of the battery. For the purpose of
application, Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) is the common II. CHEMISTRY
battery technology currently being used [1]. However, different The materials involved in Li-ion batteries consist of carbon
research efforts have proven that Lithium ion (Li-ion) which is porous in nature, usually graphite, as the anode, and
chemistry has twice the power efficiency and density of Ni- metal oxide for the cathode [15][24]. Like most battery
MH. Out of the common batteries used in various applications, technologies, the working principle of Li-ion batteries involves
lead acid, Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydroxide Lithium stored in the anode terminal that is transported to the
(Ni-MH), and Li-ion batteries have higher energy density, as cathode terminal by an electrolyte [2]. Some of the most
shown in Fig.1. These advances are reshaping the current common cathode components are Lithium Nickel, Manganese
This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1541108. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or
recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.