What Are Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes Made of?

Lithium-ion battery anodes are primarily made of graphite, a form of carbon. Graphite is widely used because of its excellent ability to intercalate lithium ions, which means it can absorb and release lithium ions during the battery's charge and discharge cycles.

 

Lithium-ion battery anodes are primarily made of graphite, a form of carbon. Graphite is widely used because of its excellent ability to intercalate lithium ions, which means it can absorb and release lithium ions during the battery's charge and discharge cycles. Here are the key materials used in lithium-ion battery anodes:

 

1. Graphite

 

Natural Graphite: Sourced from natural deposits, it is processed to enhance its purity and structure for use in batteries.

Synthetic Graphite: Manufactured from carbon precursors like petroleum coke, it offers high purity and consistent performance.

Advantages: High energy density, good electrical conductivity, and stable performance over many cycles.

 

0.8mm High Bulk Density Graphite Block

 

2. Lithium Titanium Oxide (LTO)

 

Composition: Li4Ti5O12

Advantages: Excellent safety, high thermal stability, long cycle life, and fast charging capabilities.

Disadvantages: Lower energy density compared to graphite anodes.

 

3. Silicon-Based Anodes

 

Silicon-Carbon Composites: Silicon is combined with carbon to mitigate the volume expansion issue.

Advantages: Higher theoretical capacity than graphite (up to 10 times more).

Disadvantages: Significant volume expansion during lithiation, leading to potential mechanical degradation and shorter lifespan.

 

Negative Electrode Material of Digital Battery

4. Carbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers

 

Composition: Made from cylindrical nanostructures of carbon atoms.

Advantages: High electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and capacity for lithium-ion storage.

Challenges: High production cost and complexity.

 

5. Other Emerging Materials

 

Tin Oxide (SnO2): Offers higher capacity than graphite but suffers from volume changes.

Titanium Oxide (TiO2): Known for its stability and safety, but has lower capacity.

Metal Phosphides and Sulfides: Being researched for their high capacity and unique properties.

 

Conclusion

 

Graphite remains the most commonly used anode material in commercial lithium-ion batteries due to its balance of performance, cost, and safety. However, ongoing research is exploring alternative materials like silicon and lithium titanium oxide to overcome the limitations of graphite and further enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries. Each material brings its own set of advantages and challenges, contributing to the evolving landscape of battery technology.

 

For more information on lithium-ion battery anode material, please get in touch with Lianjing.