what are lithium batteries

11 months ago 18
Nature

Lithium batteries are a type of rechargeable battery that use the reversible reduction of lithium ions to store energy. They are widely used in portable electronics, electric vehicles, and other applications due to their high energy and power density. Lithium-ion batteries consist of single or multiple lithium-ion cells, along with a protective circuit board. The negative electrode of a conventional lithium-ion cell is typically graphite, while the positive electrode is typically a metal oxide. Lithium-ion batteries can use a number of different materials as electrodes, and the most common combination is that of lithium cobalt oxide (cathode) and graphite (anode), which is used in commercial portable electronic devices such as cellphones and laptops. Lithium batteries are repeatedly rechargeable with minimal memory effect, and they charge faster and can hold the charge for a long time when not in use. There are different types of lithium batteries that rely on unique active materials and chemical reactions to store energy, and each type has its benefits and drawbacks, along with its best-suited applications.