The components of the lithium ion batteries include a positive electrode made of metal oxide, negative electrode made of carbon (graphite), a separator made of a micro-porous polymer, and an organic electrolyte (ether) that is made up of dissolved ions of lithium. During recharge, the lithium ions travel from the positive metal oxide to the negatively charged graphite electrode. The reverse flow occurs during discharge (when the battery is in use) (Carnegie, 40; Divya and Østergaard, 513). Figure 3: Function and Components of the Lithium Ion Battery The Li-Ion batteries are a lesser developed technology as compared to the lead acid batteries. They are mostly utilized in consumer electronics because they have a higher energy density (reduced
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First, their expected life span is relative to the cycling discharge depth. As such, the batteries are not recommendable for use in applications that requiring full discharge. Additionally, the metal oxide electrode can become unstable thermally as a result of over discharging or charging, which may make the battery to be vulnerable to thermal runaway is left unmonitored. The batteries are also relatively costly as compared to the other types of batteries (Rydh and Sanden, 1966).
Hybrid Lithium-Sulfur Battery The performance of the current lithium ion batteries is incapable of fulfilling the requirements of energy storage in the future for advanced portable, transportation, and residential functions (Song, Cairns and Zhang, 2186). As such, there is an inevitable need for the development of a better system for the storage of energy. New developments are underway in the development of hybrid lithium-sulfur cells from the existing lithium-sulfur batteries. Currently, there are two primary configurations of lithium-sulfur cells have been extensively investigated based on the point of location of the lithium sources as shown in the diagram …show more content…
One of the major challenges facing the lithium-sulfur cells is the dissolution/formation of polysulfides of lithium and their increased mobility in typical electrolytes. A process of solid-to-solid phase transformation of sulfur via liquid intermediates occurs during cycling. This phenomenon presents a great problem for the cyclability of the electrodes made of sulfur. An idyllic electrode that is made of sulfur ought to retain its structural integrity during the operation of the cell. To enable total reaction of all the sulfur, the solid phases that are produced as the dissolved polysulfides are broken down to solid state Li2S/Li2S2 ought to be deposited evenly inside the sulfur electrode. Moreover, the idyllic electrode ought to retain its porous structure in order to facilitate the flow of electrons (Song, Cairns and Zhang,
First, their expected life span is relative to the cycling discharge depth. As such, the batteries are not recommendable for use in applications that requiring full discharge. Additionally, the metal oxide electrode can become unstable thermally as a result of over discharging or charging, which may make the battery to be vulnerable to thermal runaway is left unmonitored. The batteries are also relatively costly as compared to the other types of batteries (Rydh and Sanden, 1966).
Hybrid Lithium-Sulfur Battery The performance of the current lithium ion batteries is incapable of fulfilling the requirements of energy storage in the future for advanced portable, transportation, and residential functions (Song, Cairns and Zhang, 2186). As such, there is an inevitable need for the development of a better system for the storage of energy. New developments are underway in the development of hybrid lithium-sulfur cells from the existing lithium-sulfur batteries. Currently, there are two primary configurations of lithium-sulfur cells have been extensively investigated based on the point of location of the lithium sources as shown in the diagram …show more content…
One of the major challenges facing the lithium-sulfur cells is the dissolution/formation of polysulfides of lithium and their increased mobility in typical electrolytes. A process of solid-to-solid phase transformation of sulfur via liquid intermediates occurs during cycling. This phenomenon presents a great problem for the cyclability of the electrodes made of sulfur. An idyllic electrode that is made of sulfur ought to retain its structural integrity during the operation of the cell. To enable total reaction of all the sulfur, the solid phases that are produced as the dissolved polysulfides are broken down to solid state Li2S/Li2S2 ought to be deposited evenly inside the sulfur electrode. Moreover, the idyllic electrode ought to retain its porous structure in order to facilitate the flow of electrons (Song, Cairns and Zhang,