Blog

Lithium (Li)

Renowned for it’s high energy density and reactivity, perfect for batteries. When lithium burns, it undergoes a highly exothermic reaction with oxygen, releasing a significant amount of energy in the form of heat and light providing a long lasting power.

What is an li-ion battery made of?

Typically a lithium ion battery is made up of three components:

• Anode – generally made of graphite or similar carbon-based materials. During charging, lithium ions are extracted from the cathode and infused into the graphite anode.
• Cathode – this is made of various lithium metal oxides; during charging, lithium ions move from the anode to the cathode.
• Electrolyte – this is a lithium salt solvent solution which facilitates the movement of lithium ions between the anode and cathode.

During charging, lithium ions move from the positive cathode through the electrolyte to the negative anode, where they are stored. During discharging, the ions reverse direction, moving from the anode to the cathode, releasing electrical energy that can power devices.

The Pros

• Their small but mighty, yet lightweight, structure makes them ideal for portable devices and electric vehicles where size and weight are crucial factors.
• Their recharging capacity is enormous which makes them more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than their single-use disposable counterparts.
• Their discharge rate is low, allowing them to retain their charge for longer periods when not in use, making them a perfect option for devices that may sit idles for periods of time.
• They don’t need to be fully discharged before recharging.
• Their capacity for quick charging when coupled with a fast charger is superior to other battery types.

But there are also the Cons…

• Li-ion batteries can pose a safety risk if not handled properly. Overcharging, overheating, physical damage or exposure to high temperatures can cause thermal runway, fire or explosion.
• They are generally more expensive to produce than other rechargeable batteries, however this is decreasing over time as advancements in technology continues.
• Certain concerns have been raised around environmental issues due to mining practices and potential toxicity, particularly where cobalt is present.
• Extreme temperatures are against them – low temperatures can render them useless or at least significant power loss, while high temperature accelerate the risk of thermal runway.

Yet they are still in high demand!

Despite issues and warnings the li-ion battery is increasingly popular and while we do see some horrific results from thermal runway in actual fact only 1.5% of li-ion batteries are linked to overheating, explosion or fire incidents; up to 40% of li-ion battery fires have been found to be caused by external factors.

How to look after your li-ion batteries safely

It’s easy to become complacent about our devices that contain li-ion batteries, here are a few tips that should become habits with us that could actually save our lives.

• Ensure batteries and devices containing li-ion batteries are stored in cool, dry places and out of direct sunlight, even when charging.
• Remove batteries from a device if you’re storing the device away for a significant amount of time.
• Never charge your mobile phone beside your bed.
• Store your batteries around 40-50% charged.
• Do not store near an entrance or escape route.
• Do not leave devices on a car dashboard whether charging or not.
• Store li-ion batteries away from anything flammable.
• Do not use a bulging li-ion battery.
• Dispose of li-ion batteries carefully – they can be toxic if they leak.

Why does lithium burn for so long?

• Lithium has one of the highest energy densities of all metals, giving it the capacity to store a large amount of energy in a relatively small and lightweight package, resulting in long lasting power in batteries.
• It’s high reactivity with oxygen, especially at high temperatures, causes rapid oxidisation when exposed to air, generating heat and sustaining the burning process.
• Once ignited, the reaction produced between lithium and oxygen is self-sustaining for as long as there is sufficient of both available, contributing to the long duration of the burning process.
• The lithium/oxygen reaction efficiently releases energy which again gives the burning a large window until the lithium is consumed.

Did you know?

• Lithium is an alkali metal. It’s silver-white in pure form and is so soft it can be cut with a butter knife. It has one of the lowest melting points and a high boiling point for a metal.
• Lithium is the lightest metal and the least dense solid element, with a density of about half that of water. In other words, if lithium didn’t react with water (which it does, rather vigorously!), it would float.
• The origin of the name lithium can be traced back to the Greek word lithos, signifying stone. Lithium is commonly found in igneous rocks, yet it is not naturally present in its free form in nature.

To conclude, li-ion batteries are everywhere! We cannot exclude them from our everyday life. Their use in the advancement of technology is phenomenal but we need to be aware of the potential issues and do everything within our power to use them safely.

Take precaution. Prevent fire. Save lives.