The Types and Components of a Lithium Battery

Posted by Brian Babor on February 27th, 2023

Lithium batteries are one of the most popular battery types in terms of energy density, rechargeability, and other performance characteristics. Lithium batteries have been used in various electronic products, such as smartphones, calculators, and even electric cars. This article will provide an in-depth overview of the types and components of a lithium battery with an emphasis on smartphones.

A lithium battery is composed of several different components that work together to safely store and convert chemical energy into electrical energy. The three main components of a lithium battery are the cathode, anode, and electrolyte. The cathode is a positively charged material that accepts electrons from the anode, which is a negatively charged material. The electrolyte serves as the conductive medium that allows the electrons to flow between the cathode and anode.

The type of cathode material is the determining factor for selecting the type of lithium battery. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are the most common type of lithium battery used in consumer electronics today. They contain an anode made of carbon, a cathode typically composed of a lithium-containing compound such as lithium cobalt oxide, and an electrolyte of lithium salts. The most important feature of this battery type is its high energy density, meaning that it can store more energy than other types of batteries while maintaining a similar size and weight.

Apart from Li-ion batteries, other types of lithium batteries are also available. Lithium-ion polymer (Li-Poly) batteries contain an anode made of polymer, a cathode made of a compound such as lithium titanium oxide, and an electrolyte made of a solid polymer gel instead of a liquid solution. Li-Poly batteries are lighter and more flexible than Li-ion batteries, making them ideal for devices with tight spaces, such as smartphones and tablets.

Lithium primary batteries contain a lithium-based Cathode, an anode made of a metal such as zinc, and an electrolyte of a lithium-based compound. Also known as non-rechargeable batteries, these are designed to provide the biggest power output, but they cannot be recharged and must be replaced once the power supply is used up.

Another type of lithium battery is the lithium-metal battery. This type features an anode made of metallic lithium, a cathode made of a lithium-based alloy, and a liquid electrolyte. This type of battery is highly unstable, so it is mainly used for military and space applications.

In addition to the type of cathode material, lithium batteries also have other components that work together to supply power to its device. These include the separator, current collector, and balance connector, which help regulate battery output. The separator is a thin insulating layer that surrounds the anode and cathode and prevents the two from touching each other. The current collector is an electrically conductive material that collects and directs the flow of electrical current in the battery. The balance connector is a device that connects all of the battery’s cells to an external chemical-level meter and helps keep the battery's total voltage within a specified range.

Overall, lithium batteries are composed of several components, including the cathode, anode, and electrolyte, as well as auxiliary components like the separator, current collector, and balance connector. The type of cathode material determines the performance characteristics of a lithium battery and the auxiliary components ensure that the battery has a safe and reliable output. In addition to being used in smartphones, calculators, and other small electronics, lithium batteries are also used in electric cars and other large-scale applications.