What Are the Metals Used in Lithium-ion Battery?

Lithium-ion batteries have become an integral part of our lives, powering the technology we rely on daily, such as cell phones, medical devices, laptops, and even EVs (electric vehicles). These batteries are renowned for their long cycle life, high energy density, and fast charging capabilities, making them a popular choice for portable electronics and electric vehicles.

While lithium is a critical component of lithium-ion batteries, it is not used in its metallic form. Instead, manufacturers commonly employ lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate in these batteries. These compounds are more stable and safer to handle than pure lithium metal, which is highly reactive and can pose significant safety risks. In addition to lithium, several metals used in lithium-ion batteries, such as nickel, cobalt, manganese, etc., play essential roles in the battery's performance.

In this blog post, we have listed the types of metal used in Li-Ion batteries.

Lithium-Ion Battery Chemistries

Lithium-ion cells consist of a positive and a negative electrode. The cathode (positive electrode) comprises various oxidized metal formulations or "chemistries." These metal oxides are used in lithium-ion batteries. On the other hand, the negative electrode is typically made of carbonaceous material, both natural and synthetic graphite. During charging, lithium ions migrate through an electrolyte from the cathode to the anode, where they attach to the carbon. The lithium ions return from the carbon anode to the cathode during discharge.

There are five primary battery chemistries, and the composition of its metalliferous cathodes defines each. LCO (Lithium-cobalt-oxide) is the most common battery type used in portable electronic devices. In contrast, due to their high energy density, NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) and NCA (nickel-cobalt-aluminum) chemistries are increasingly becoming the industry standard for electric vehicle applications. In recent years, China's automotive industry has favored LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) and LMO (lithium-magnesium oxide) battery chemistries. 

However, there is a clear global trend towards adopting NCA and NCM chemistry due to their increased life cycle, higher energy densities,  and the auto industry's preference for longer-range passenger vehicles. The growth in the LiB sector is expected to come mainly from NCA and NCM chemistries, both of which can contain relatively high cobalt and nickel content.

High-purity precursor materials are required for LiB cathode production to ensure high performance and extended battery life. NCM and NCA battery chemistries require high-purity cobalt and nickel sulfate to produce precursor materials. Cobalt oxide is necessary for LCO battery chemistry.

So, What Metals Are in Lithium-Ion Batteries?

Lithium-ion batteries contain various metals, including lithium, cobalt, aluminum, manganese, and nickel. These metals are used in the battery's anode, cathode, and electrolyte components. The specific metals used can vary depending on the battery chemistry, with different cathode formulations containing different combinations and ratios of these metals.  

• Lithium

Discovered by Swedish chemist Johan August Arfwedson in 1817, lithium is one of the three elements synthesized during the Big Bang, along with helium and hydrogen. The word "lithium" is derived from a Greek word meaning "stone." Lithium (Li) is a highly flammable and reactive element and is the first alkali metal in the periodic table. While it is present worldwide, it is not found in its pure state in nature but can be extracted in small quantities from clay, rock, and brine.

Although lithium is abundant on Earth, it is most plentiful in Latin America. Other significant reserves are found in Australia, China, and the United States. It is highly sought after by various industries for its lightweight and excellent electrochemical energy storage properties. Currently, around 948 GWh of li-ion battery capacity is deployed globally. Out of this, the worldwide Electric Vehicle battery production capacity is approximately 274 GWh. However, it also produces lubricants, ceramics and heat-resistant glass, rubber, steel and aluminum, and other applications.

The growing demand for electric cars has led to a significant increase in the need for lithium, now growing at 25% annually. As one of the most strategic elements used in energy storage, lithium is becoming increasingly important in today's world.

• Cobalt

Cobalt, a hard, silver-grey, lustrous metal, was discovered by Georg Brandt, a Swedish chemist, in 1739. It is primarily extracted as a by-product while mining nickel and copper. Cobalt has various industrial applications; it serves as a cathode material for many Lithium-ion batteries and is used to make high-speed cutting tools, powerful magnets, and high-strength alloys for gas turbines and jet engines.

Cobalt is also employed in the art industry, where cobalt compounds have been used for centuries to color glass, porcelain, enamel, pottery, and tiles.

Although cobalt was the first-choice cathode material for commercial Li-ion batteries, its high price has led manufacturers to substitute it with cobalt blended with aluminum, manganese, and nickel. This mixture creates robust cathode materials that are more economical and offer better performance than pure cobalt.

• Aluminum

Aluminum was first discovered in 1825 by Danish physicist Hans Christian Ørsted. However, it wasn't until the mid-19th century that the first industrial production of this metal began, thanks to the pioneering work of the French chemist Henri Étienne Sainte-Claire Deville. In 1856, he successfully produced aluminum on a large scale, ushering in a new era of industrial manufacturing.

Its unique combination of properties, including its low cost, high capacity, and low equilibrium potential for lithiation/delithiation, make it a reliable option for use as an anode in lithium-ion batteries.

The low cost of aluminum makes it an attractive option for large-scale battery production, as it can be sourced affordably and sustainably. Additionally, its high capacity allows for increased energy density, which is crucial for extending the lifespan and improving the performance of batteries.

• Manganese

Manganese was first proposed as an element by Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1774. However, it was not until later that year that Johan Gottlieb Gahn, a renowned Swedish chemist, discovered it by heating MnO2 (pyrolusite) with charcoal. Today, the leading global mining areas for manganese are Africa, China, Australia, and Gabon. These regions are renowned for their rich deposits of this versatile metal, widely used in various industrial applications.

Manganese plays a crucial role in developing battery-powered products, particularly in stabilizing the structure of nickel manganese cobalt cathode materials. These cathode materials are considered the primary drivers of performance in Li-ion batteries. The composition of cathode materials is critical in determining how long a phone call can last, how far an electric car can travel, how fast a battery can recharge, and how much energy can be stored from solar panels.

The manganese component of the cathode material significantly impacts the safety of battery cells. As safety is paramount in batteries that power electric vehicles and other electronic devices, manganese's role in enhancing the battery's safety cannot be overstated.

• Nickel

Axel Fredrik Cronstedt, a scientist based in Stockholm, researched a previously unknown mineral sourced from a mine in Los, Hälsingland, Sweden, in 1751. Initially, Cronstedt suspected the mineral might contain copper, but after extracting a new metal, he realized he had discovered a hitherto unknown element. In 1754, Cronstedt announced his discovery to the scientific community and named the new metal 'nickel.' 

Nickel has been widely used in batteries for several decades. Its most common applications are NiCd (nickel-cadmium) and NiMH (nickel metal hydride) rechargeable batteries. These batteries revolutionized the portable device industry by delivering longer-lasting power and changing how people work and live. In recent years, there has been a shift towards using nickel in high-nickel cathodes in lithium-ion batteries, which offer even higher energy density and storage capacity at a lower cost.

One of the main advantages of using nickel in Lithium-Ion batteries is its ability to increase energy density and storage capacity, making it ideal for use in energy storage systems, particularly in the renewable energy sector. The nickel metal used in storage batteries is helping to make energy production from wind and solar power more viable, as they can store excess energy generated during peak production periods for use during low output. It helps to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote the transition to a more sustainable energy system.

Conclusion

As the demand for lithium-ion batteries continues to soar, it is becoming increasingly feasible for the metals used in their production to become the "gold" of modern times. These metals, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese, are essential in manufacturing batteries that power electric vehicles, smartphones, laptops, and other modern devices. 

Learning about the battery technology and design of effective BMS systems can lead you to a promising career. Skil-Lync offers industry-oriented courses for aspiring engineers that can teach you cutting-edge technologies. Our Introduction to Battery Technology for Electric Vehicles can impart key technical skills. Talk to our experts and get your free demo.