The Science Behind Lithium Metal Batteries

In the last couple of years, there’s been lots of talk about a rechargeable battery that could increase an electric vehicle’s distance from 450km to 800km, achieve a full charge in just 15 minutes, and power your phone for two weeks without needing to plug it in.

The battery we’re talking about is, of course, a lithium metal battery.

But is all this too good to be true? Or can lithium metal batteries really be the answer to effective, convenient and affordable energy? Here, the industry specialists at Lithium Metal Australia explain the science behind lithium metal batteries:

Components of a lithium metal battery

Lithium metal batteries are simple in design. The components of a lithium metal battery are:

• Anode (Negative Electrode): In lithium metal batteries, the anode itself is lithium metal.
• Cathode (Positive Electrode): The cathode is usually made of a different material, often a metal oxide or sulphide, which accepts the released electrons during discharge.
• Separator: A separator between the anode and cathode prevents direct contact, preventing a short circuit while allowing the flow of ions between the electrodes.
• Electrolyte: Usually a solid-state electrolyte which carries lithium ions between the anode and cathode during the charge/discharge cycles.

How do lithium metal batteries work?

Lithium metal batteries have some key differences to conventional lithium-ion batteries. The main differences include:

• Solid-state electrolyte rather than liquid electrolyte

Lithium-ion batteries use a liquid electrolyte to spread charge around the battery, whereas lithium metal batteries use a solid-state electrolyte. This means that charge is directly deposited on the lithium, rather than spread through liquid solvents.

• More energy in a smaller space

Lithium metal batteries are more energy dense than lithium-ion batteries, meaning they can hold more energy per unit of mass. This makes them smaller and lighter than their lithium-ion counterparts.

• Faster charging times

Lithium metal batteries can have faster charging times than lithium-ion batteries. This is because the solid-state nature of lithium metal batteries allows for charge to be placed directly on the lithium, rather than spread around via liquid. One lithium metal battery producer, QuantumScape, has found that their battery can achieve an 80% charge in just 15 minutes.

Lithium metal batteries have the potential to revolutionise the way we approach decarbonisation. Lithium Metal Australia is one of the country’s leaders in lithium metal as a sustainable energy solution. We extract lithium metal in a responsible way, with the aim of decarbonisation of the planet. Our processes of lithium extraction are clean and efficient, using the most energy- and cost-efficient process to produce lithium metal – carbothermic reduction. Contact Lithium Metal Australia to learn more about our world-leading lithium metal extraction.

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