Lithium-ion batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are primarily batteries in which lithium is the main active material in the electrode material. They mainly include lithium metal batteries and lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are the most important type of lithium-ion battery.
A lithium-ion battery is a rechargeable battery that operates by the movement of lithium ions between the positive and negative electrodes, enabling it to be charged and discharged. The main components of a lithium-ion battery include the positive electrode, the gap between the electrodes, the negative electrode, the electrolyte, and the battery casing.
Positive electrode: Generally lithium manganese acid or lithium cobalt acid, lithium nickel cobalt manganese acid materials (commonly known as ternary), pure lithium manganese acid and lithium iron phosphate are gradually being phased out due to their large size, poor function or high cost.
Isolation: A specially formed polymer film with a microporous structure that allows lithium ions to pass through freely while electrons cannot.
Negative electrode: usually graphite, or carbon with a graphite-like structure.
Electrolyte: It is the carrier for ion transfer in the battery. It is generally composed of lithium salt and organic solvent. Its important purpose is to conduct lithium ions between the positive and negative electrodes of a lithium-ion battery.
Battery casings are divided into steel casings (rarely used in square shapes), aluminum casings, nickel-plated iron casings (used in cylindrical batteries), and aluminum-plastic film (soft packaging), which are mainly used for battery protection.
Lithium-ion batteries are primarily made from cathode materials such as lithium cobalt oxide, lithium manganese oxide, lithium nickel oxide, ternary lithium, and lithium iron phosphate. Currently, lithium iron phosphate and ternary lithium-ion batteries have more relevant experience in automotive applications. BYD is a representative of the former, while Tesla is a representative of the latter.
