Why does lithium battery gradually reduce capacity over time?

Lithium batteries have a major drawback: reduced capacity over time. After about 500 charges, this battery will be reduced by about one-fifth of the storage capacity.

Cause lithium battery gradually decreases capacity over time

Lithium batteries are very popular batteries used in today's mobile devices. However, this battery has a major drawback: reduced capacity over time . After about 500 charges, this battery will be reduced by about one-fifth of the storage capacity.

Scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, USA, have conducted a study to find out why lithium batteries have gradually reduced capacity over time.

Scientists used a high magnification microscope to observe lithium battery charging and discharging. In this way, the scientists discovered cracks in the battery's electrode during charging and discharging . This is one of the reasons the battery capacity is reduced over time.

However, the above reason is not the main reason making the battery capacity drop significantly. Scientists also discovered that after each cycle of discharge and recharge there were lithium parts left outside the battery cell's electrode . This dead battery is no longer charging and usable, so it reduces the battery capacity significantly. Furthermore, scientists have observed that a layer of solid phase electrolysis has formed on the surface of the electrode that hinders the battery's ability to recharge.

Scientists observe the charging and discharging process through a microscope.

Scientists are looking for metals that can replace lithium. Magnesium, aluminum or copper could someday replace lithium with cheaper and more reliable prices. However, at this point, we need to focus on studying non-lithium batteries because there is almost no solution to preserve the capacity of lithium batteries.