Today, we rely on batteries to power everything. Cell phones! Electric cars! And the TV remote control. But how often have you thought about the battery components that make it all possible?
In this article, we will focus on an often overlooked battery core – battery electrolytes: Why are they more important than you think? What role do they play in battery production and manufacturing?
What Is Battery Electrolyte?
Consider your battery to be an incredibly small manufacturing facility where energy is created then stored and sent out. The electrolyte? It’s the conveyor belt of the factory that moves the correct “goods” (charged particles called Ions) between two important points which are: an electrode that is positive (cathode) as well as an electrode with a negative charge (anode).
How Does It Work?
- If you are using the battery (discharging) the positive ions travel from the anode towards the cathode and vice versa, and negative the ions (anions) move the other direction. Consider it like an open highway, where each driver is in a designated area.
- If you recharge the battery, the process reverses and the ions are returned the “home” electrodes, ready to charge again.
This is the most important thing to remember The electrolyte is the only thing that can stop energy transfer. The bridge helps your battery convert chemical energy into electricity that power your devices. While electrons perform all the work outside of the battery (flowing across wires and into your smartphone, for instance) however, it’s the electrons inside, which are shuffled by the electrolyte that do the magic.
Types of battery electrolytes
There are many different electrolytes that are not exactly the same! They may be pastes, liquids or even solids, based on the type of battery. We’ll look at the common types you’ll see:
Liquid Electrolytes
- lead acid battery electrolyte (like those in the car) They use dilute sulfuric acid. It’s a liquid. But beware, it’s very extremely corrosive! When batteries were made in the past, they’re an insoluble liquid pool; for modern batteries (like AGM batteries), it’s infiltrated into glass mats to protect.
- lithium ion battery electrolyte (your smartphone laptop, computer, electric car) Imagine the perfect cocktail that is super smart: lithium salt (like LiPF6, more on it in the future) that dissolves into organic solvents (e.g. Carbonate of ethylene). This isn’t a huge pool, but the thin coating of to separate the components, which makes it compact and effective.
Paste/Gel Electrolytes
- Alkaline batteries (AA AAA, for the remote) They are made up of potassium hydroxide (KOH) paste. It’s mixed into the electrode components, so it remains in place and lasts for for a very long period.
- Gel batteries (some are solar or marine batteries) An improvement from liquids The electrolyte comes as a gel, which means no spills, leaks or spills plus it is more long-lasting.
Solid Electrolytes
- In the process of development, but extremely interesting! Consider polymers or ceramics that allow ions to move, with no liquid. They don’t contain flammable solvents and no leaks–just more reliable, safer batteries. This will be discussed more in the future!
How Electrolytes Define Your Battery’s Life (and Death)
Have you ever wondered why your smartphone battery drains faster after a year of use, or why some electric cars take just minutes to charge, while others take hours? Electrolytes are a major component. Let’s take a look at the impact of electrolytes on our daily lives:
Energy Density: How Much Juice It Holds
- Lithium-ion batteries are popular due to the electrolytes they contain. An ideal combination of lithium salts and solvents allows the ions to move effectively, cramming more energy within a tiny size.
- The 4680 batteries make use of an optimised electrolyte Pei Fang that boosts the energy density by 54%. That’s the reason they’re able to go farther with just one charge!
Lifespan: Why Batteries Age
- Stable electrolytes reduce wear and tear within the battery. As an example, the addition of additives to lithium-ion electrolytes may help to prevent “dendrites”–spiky growing lithium that can harm electrodes over time.
- The negative? Electrolytes break down over the course of. Every charge and discharge cycle creates small chemical reactions which break down the electrolyte. This is the reason why batteries lose charges after a short period of time.
Charge/Discharge Speed: The Need for Speed
- Excellent electrolytes made of top quality with high “ionic conductivity” (how fast ions are moving) allow batteries to charge more quickly without wasting energy. Have you heard of “fast charging”? Thanks to electrolytes for that!
- Examples: Nio’s electric vehicles are able to add 200 miles of range in just 10 minutes, thanks to an Dian Jie Ye Pei Fang which reduces the resistance of charging.
Safety: The Not-So-Fun Part
- The electrolytes that are contained in lithium-ion batteries are explosive. If the battery is damaged, discharged too much or heated to excessive levels it can cause the electrolyte to break down, release gases and possibly cause fire (yikes thermal runaway! ).
- Solid electrolytes, however, could be a game changer. No liquid electrolytes means no fire hazard, which is why Xiaowei has been working on high-performance solid electrolytes. It makes batteries safer to use in cars, planes, automobiles, and everything else.
Future trends in battery electrolytes
As China’s top battery manufacturing team, Xiaowei’s engineers and scientists have been in close contact with China’s battery manufacturing giants to explore new ways to make electrolytes more efficient, safer and more beneficial to the earth.
Solid-State Electrolytes: The Holy Grail
- The reason they’re so amazing is that there’s no liquids, which means no risk from leaks, fires or explosions. They are also able to be able to handle higher voltages, which lets us build batteries with twice in energy .
Electrolytes for Extreme Environments
- Freezing cold: In places like Alaska or Antarctica, regular batteries die quickly. Innovative “anti-freeze” electrolytes (using special solvents or salts) allow batteries to function in temperatures as low as -40°C. This is perfect for electric cars that are in cold climates, or Arctic devices for research.
- Hot industrial plants or in high temperature deserts Electrolytes must be solid. The addition of flame retardants and thermally resistant solvents make sure that batteries do not melt or overheat even under 60degreeC+ temperatures.
Going Green: Eco-Friendly Electrolytes
- Biobased Solvents: In place making use of fossil fuels, researchers are creating solvents made from plants (like sugarcane or corn). Companies such as BYD have already tested these battery batteries. Better for the earth, and amazing efficiency.
- Water-based electrolytes are inexpensive, safe and not flammable. Though they’ren’t as potent like organic solvents at present but they’re great for devices that require low energy, such as kids playing with toys, or solar light sources.
The Bigger Picture: Electrolytes, Supply Chains, and Recycling
It’s not just about science–electrolytes play a big role in the global battery ecosystem:
Supply Chain Challenges
- Lithium salts (like LiPF6) make up 50% of the price for an electrolyte made of lithium. If lithium prices rise (like they have in 2021) this affects every aspect of life from smartphones to electric vehicles. The companies are currently searching for lower-cost alternatives or find local suppliers in order to prevent shortages.
Recycling: Closing the Loop
- Lead-acid batteries are highly recyclable. Over 90% in their electrolyte (sulfuric acid) and lead are used again.
- Recycled lithium ions are more complicated (they contain more complicated chemicals) However, companies such as Redwood Materials are getting better in reclaiming lithium, cobalt as well as nickel from battery batteries. It not only reduces consumption, but also cuts down the need for mining resources.
Wrapping Up: Why You Should Care About Electrolytes
When you next charge your smartphone or get into an electric vehicle be sure to be aware of the hidden electric battery’s electrolyte. It’s why you’re able to browse Instagram for hours at a time, traverse the nation, or keep your flashlight on for a long time.
From the sticky stuff on your TV remote to the modern lithium-ion batteries in electric prototype cars, this simple electrolyte for battery is essential to unlocking more efficient, safer, and greener energy. In addition, Xiaowei’s technical team is constantly innovating battery production technology and exporting advanced and efficient battery manufacturing services to the world.
What are you still waiting for? If you happen to need advanced battery manufacturing technology and services, you can contact our experts immediately to get the latest technology and the best battery electrolyte materials.