-Diagram of a lithium battery with labels for the anode, cathode, electrolyte, separator, and current collectors.
- Brief description of each component's role.
Unfortunately, I'm unable to provide images or diagrams. However, I can certainly describe the typical components of a lithium battery and their roles for you:
1. Anode: This is the negative electrode of the battery where oxidation occurs during discharge. In lithium-ion batteries, it is commonly made from graphite or other carbon materials that can store lithium ions between their layers.
2. Cathode: The cathode is the positive electrode where reduction takes place during discharge. It is typically made from lithium metal oxides or phosphates. The specific chemistry of the cathode defines much of the battery's characteristics, such as its voltage and capacity.
3. Electrolyte: The electrolyte is a conductive chemical medium that allows the flow of ions between the cathode and anode. In a lithium battery, this is usually a liquid organic solvent containing a lithium salt, but solid and gel electrolytes are also used in some batteries.
4. Separator: This is a crucial component that physically separates the anode and cathode to prevent electrical short circuits while still allowing the free passage of lithium ions. It is generally a porous polymer film.
5. Current Collectors: These components are conductive materials that allow the external circuit to be connected to the anode and cathode. At the cathode, the current collector is often made of aluminum, while the anode current collector is usually made of copper.
During battery operation, when discharging, lithium ions flow from the anode to the cathode through the electrolyte and the separator, while electrons flow through the external circuit to provide power. The internal chemical reactions at the anode and cathode enable the lithium ions and electrons to recombine at the cathode. When the battery is charging, the process is reversed; lithium ions are extracted from the cathode material and move back to the anode.