Battery Technology

basics Part 1:
The electrochemical cell and its
components

annika ahlberg tidblad

June 2020

2020-06-17 BATTERY TECHNOLOGY BASICS, ANNIKA AHLBERG TIDBLAD, PROPRIETARY 1

The electrochemical cell
• Electrodes
• Different materials
• Potential difference = voltage
• Higher electrode potential (more ”noble”)
 positive pole
• Lower electrode potential (less ”noble”)
 negative pole
• Electron current in external circuit
• Ionic current in internal circuit

• Redox equation:
Ox + ne-  Red
Oxidation = electron donor
Reduction = electron consumer

• Anode – oxidation
• Cathode – reduction

2020-06-17 BATTERY TECHNOLOGY BASICS, ANNIKA AHLBERG TIDBLAD, PROPRIETARY 2

The Li ion cell
• The objective of the electrochemical
cell is to convert electrical energy into
chemical energy (stored) and vice
versa
• The Li ion cell is based on intercalation
chemistry
• The redox reaction involves Li/Li+

• Electrodes are defined by discharge

reaction
Cathode = reduction:
MO2 + Li+ + e- → LiMO2
Anode = oxidation:
LiC6 → Li+ + e- + C6

(MO2 = transition metal oxide)

2020-06-17 BATTERY TECHNOLOGY BASICS, ANNIKA AHLBERG TIDBLAD, PROPRIETARY 3
The li ion cell Components
• Electrodes
• Anode (-): (typically) graphite or other
carbon based material
• Cathode (+): transition metal oxides
• N/P ration ≈ 1.1
• Prevent Li plating on anode at charging
• Current collectors
• Copper – anode
• Aluminium - cathode
• Separator- prevents direct contact
between anode and cathode
• Electrolyte – solvent and conductive salt

2020-06-17 BATTERY TECHNOLOGY BASICS, ANNIKA AHLBERG TIDBLAD, PROPRIETARY 4

Cathode materials
• Different crystalline structures
• Layered: LCO, NMC, NCA
• Spinel: LMO
• Olivine: LFP
• Different voltages
• Different electrical capacity

2020-06-17 BATTERY TECHNOLOGY BASICS, ANNIKA AHLBERG TIDBLAD, PROPRIETARY 5

Anode – graphite
• Graphite is not stable in the organic
electrolyte
• SEI layer = passive layer that protects
graphite
• Forms during formation process
• Essential for safety and electric
performance
• Continues to grow during battery life
• Changes electrode surface composition
and morphology
• Consumes electrolyte
• Increases internal resistance
(impedance)

2020-06-17 BATTERY TECHNOLOGY BASICS, ANNIKA AHLBERG TIDBLAD, PROPRIETARY 6

Anodes – other materials
• Titanium oxides
• Lithium titanate (LTO) – Li4Ti5O12
• Voltage penalty
• Silicon
• High volume expansion (4x)
• Composite with graphite
• Tin alloys
• Slow Li diffusion
• Cycle life – alloy degradation due to Li
extraction
• Li metal
• Dendrites

2020-06-17 BATTERY TECHNOLOGY BASICS, ANNIKA AHLBERG TIDBLAD, PROPRIETARY 7

Binders
• Improve electric conductivity
between electrode particles
• Prevent delamination
• Improve cyclability

2020-06-17 BATTERY TECHNOLOGY BASICS, ANNIKA AHLBERG TIDBLAD, PROPRIETARY 8

Electrolytes
• High ionic conductivity and low viscocity
• Solvent = Organic carbonates
• Liquid (or dispersed in PVDF gel)
• Mixtures of
• Ethylence carbonate (EC)
• Dimethyl carbonate (DMC)
• Diethyl carbonate (DEC)
• Conductive salt
• Dominating in commercial cells: LiPF6
• Less common: LiBF4 and LiClO4
• New/emerging: LiOTf and LiTFSI
• Additives
• Flame retardants
• Redox shuttles – prevent overcharging
• SEI stabilizer
• Wettability agents
• Temperature stabilizer
• etc

2020-06-17 BATTERY TECHNOLOGY BASICS, ANNIKA AHLBERG TIDBLAD, PROPRIETARY 9

separators
• Electrical insulator between anode and
cathode
• 12-25 mm
• Facilitator for ion transport between
electrodes
• Enhance safety performance
• Shutdown separator – trilayer polymer PP/PE/PP
=> PE melts at 130°C and stops ion transport
=> PP melts at 150 °C
• Ceramic coated polyolefin (PO) – coated with
alumina particles
• Ceramic filled non-woven
• Nanofibers

2020-06-17 BATTERY TECHNOLOGY BASICS, ANNIKA AHLBERG TIDBLAD, PROPRIETARY 10

Cell formats
• Different cell formats and designs
• Cylindrical
• Prismatic
• ”Pouch” (laminated)
• Different cell sizes (energy content
• mAh – 102 Ah

2020-06-17 BATTERY TECHNOLOGY BASICS, ANNIKA AHLBERG TIDBLAD, PROPRIETARY 11

New cell formats
• BYD Blade cell – prismatic
• LFP chemistry
• Improved spacial usage
• Extreme volume utilization => improved
ration of volumetric to gravimetric energy
density
• Improved safety performance
• High surface to volume ration improves
cooling efficiency

2020-06-17 BATTERY TECHNOLOGY BASICS, ANNIKA AHLBERG TIDBLAD, PROPRIETARY 12