Small Li-Ion Rechargeable Batteries

Small rechargeable Li-ion batteries are available that are best suited to power laptops, cell phones, and certain electronics devices with power requirements that are compatible with such batteries. These devices require more power than can be provided by the primary batteries or cells described in Section 8.4. Over the past 3 decades or so, a number of Li-ion rechargeable batteries using solid hthium anodes, liquid organic electrolyte, and cathodes consisting of multiple oxides were designed and developed. Some versions of Li-ion rechargeable batteries were discontinued because of safety and cycle-life problems. 

In 1995, Japan has installed a production facility with an 80-million cell capacity for mass-scale production of practical rechargeable batteries using LiCoOj as the cathodes. These rechargeable batteries are rated at 3.6 V and have demonstrated a density exceeding 350 Wh/liter. Performance improvements have been observed with improvements in the carbon anode, electrolyte, and cathode materials. Battery scientists may deploy lithiated oxides of nickel and manganese on the basis of cost reductions and reduced environmental impact. 

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