Goodfellow is pleased to announce the addition to our catalogue of six chemical compounds for use in Li-ion batteries. Each of these materials offers something different in terms of the variables associated with Li-ion batteries, such as energy density, potential safety, cost, recharging time, cycle life, scalability, etc. As you consider the requirements of your particular application, feel free to contact a member of the Goodfellow technical team by phone or at technical@goodfellow.com to discuss your specific needs.

A lithium-ion battery or Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery commonly used for portable electronics and electric vehicles and growing in popularity for military and aerospace applications. They are lightweight and rechargeable with great capacity, attributes that have captured the attention of researchers, product designers and manufacturers in virtually every industry.

A lithium-ion battery consists of a cathode (positive electrode), an anode (negative electrode), and an electrolyte (used as a conductor) with a charge-discharge cycle.

Cathode materials*

LiCoO₂ Lithium Cobalt Oxide

As one of the most common oxide cathode materials for traditional Li-ion batteries, LiCoO₂ (LCO) is also under consideration for use in all solid-state batteries.

LiMn₂O₄ Lithium Manganese Oxide

The spinel lithium manganese oxide (LiMn₂O₄ or LMO) is an exceptional cathode material for aqueous and organic lithium-ion batteries due to its low cost, environmental friendliness and suitable potential capabilities.

LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ Lithium Nickel Manganese Oxide (LNMO)

Lithium nickel manganese oxides are promising, being nontoxic while having high thermal stability. They currently are attracting attention as alternative cathode electrode materials to the commercial LiCoO₂ electrode.

Anode materials*

Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ Lithium Titanium Oxide

LTO (Li₄Ti₅O₁₂) has been highlighted as anode material for next-generation lithium ion secondary batteries due to advantages such as a high rate capability, excellent cyclic performance, and safety.

Solid electrolytes*

Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ Lithium Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide (LLZO)

Solid-state electrolyte lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide garnet (LLZO) has attracted a great deal of attention due to its high room temperature conductivity of lithium ions and stability against lithium metal electrodes.

Li₄SiO₄ Lithium

This is a solid-state electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries and specifically for the production of solid-state thin film batteries (TFB).

Other products available from Goodfellow which can be used in lithium batteries

Li₃PO₄ Lithium Phosphate – a thin film solid electrolyte material known as LiPON used in thin film lithium batteries (TFB).

Copper foils (as current collectors), nickel foils, cobalt foils, aluminium foils (battery slurry)

Graphite – for negative electrodes

Silicone elastomer in any form

PVDF films – used as binders, depending on the battery

*Available as sputtering targets, or in powder form upon request.

What are the advantages of Li-ion batteries?

Advantages of the Lithium-ion battery include:

• A high energy density
• The ability to handle lots of recharging
• The battery does not have to be completely drained before recharging (otherwise known as having no memory effect)
• They are much lighter than other rechargeable options

As with any technology, these batteries have their disadvantages too, such as being expensive and sensitivity to high temperatures. That being said, in comparison to alternatives, these drawbacks are considered to be minor.

How are Li-ion batteries made?

The main components of Lithium-ion batteries are a cathode (positive electrode), an anode (negative electrode) and an electrolyte (used as a conductor) with a charge-discharge cycle.

Different chemical compounds can be used for each of these elements. For example, Goodfellow has recently launched new materials for each:

• Cathode materials: Lithium Cobalt Oxide, Lithium Manganese Oxide and Lithium Nickel Manganese Oxide
• Anode materials: Lithium Titanium Oxide
• Solid electrolytes: Lithium Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide and Lithium Orthosilicate

For more information on Li-ion batteries and the materials used in their creation and innovation, please contact the Goodfellow technical team.

Your questions answered: Li-ion batteries

In this blog post, we answer common questions about Li-ion batteries, including what they are, why they’re so useful and the materials used to create them.

What are Li-ion batteries?

A Lithium-ion battery, also known as a Li-ion battery, is a type of rechargeable battery used in a wide variety of electronic applications – from laptops and mobile phones, to medical equipment and electronic tools.

These types of batteries emerged in the 1990s. Previously, Nickel-Cadmium was the main type of battery used in portable electronics.

Li-ion batteries are still evolving, thanks to continuous innovation available in materials science.

What makes them different to other batteries?

The main point of difference is that Li-ion batteries are rechargeable, whereas most other standard batteries are not.

When you compare them to other rechargeable options, these batteries tend to have a higher energy density – meaning they can store more energy than alternatives.

What are the advantages of Li-ion batteries?

Advantages of the Lithium-ion battery include:

• A high energy density
• The ability to handle lots of recharging
• The battery does not have to be completely drained before recharging (otherwise known as having no memory effect)
• They are much lighter than other rechargeable options

As with any technology, these batteries have their disadvantages too, such as being expensive and sensitivity to high temperatures. That being said, in comparison to alternatives, these drawbacks are considered to be minor.

How are Li-ion batteries made?

The main components of Lithium-ion batteries are a cathode (positive electrode), an anode (negative electrode) and an electrolyte (used as a conductor) with a charge-discharge cycle.

Different chemical compounds can be used for each of these elements. For example, Goodfellow has recently launched new materials for each:

• Cathode materials: Lithium Cobalt Oxide, Lithium Manganese Oxide and Lithium Nickel Manganese Oxide
• Anode materials: Lithium Titanium Oxide
• Solid electrolytes: Lithium Lanthanum Zirconium Oxide and Lithium Orthosilicate

For more information on Li-ion batteries and the materials used in their creation and innovation, please contact the Goodfellow technical team.