Lithium: remarkable performance
Lithium is nicknamed the “new white gold” due to its key role in manufacturing lithium-ion batteries. Lithium’s high reactivity and electrochemical potential are the foundation of its exceptional electrical performance.
Lithium plays a major role in the operation of electronic devices. Since the 1990s, it has been a revolutionary force, becoming indispensable in numerous sectors. Since the first commercialization of lithium-ion batteries, their performance and safety have continually improved, while production costs have decreased, keeping pace with the constant demand for energy. These batteries have met increasingly higher standards. Their extended autonomy and improved energy density have opened the door to new mass markets, such as energy storage and modern electric mobility.
These technologies, which reduce reliance on fossil fuels, are experiencing significant growth in the context of the ongoing energy transition. “The challenge with lithium is to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and transition to electric or fully electric systems,” said Barbara Pompili, France’s Minister of Ecological Transition.
Lithium’s rise is accelerating, but its abundance in the Earth’s crust, along with numerous concentrated reserves, means it is not considered a rare metal. According to estimates, Earth’s resources could sustain lithium battery production for many years, which explains its attractiveness.
How do lithium’s properties enable high-performance batteries?
First commercialized by Sony in 1991, lithium-ion batteries revolutionized the operation of electronic devices. In 2019, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to the inventors of the lithium-ion battery. Each made decisive advances in lithium battery research that enabled their commercialization and the development of this groundbreaking technology.
How does a battery work?
A lithium-ion battery is an electrochemical device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy using three components: a positive electrode (cathode), a negative electrode (anode), and an electrolyte. This combination produces electrical energy.
Why has lithium become so essential?
Lithium is the third element on Mendeleev’s periodic table, known for its redox potential. Lithium’s chemistry is primarily ionic. A lithium atom has three protons, three electrons, and one outer electron that is easily lost. This electrochemical potential is why lithium is used in batteries. Combined with its lightweight nature, lithium enables the production of compact, lightweight batteries capable of storing large amounts of energy. The goal is always to achieve the highest energy storage for the lowest weight.
Like all alkali metals, lithium is reactive with air and water, making it inherently unstable. It took many years of research to develop safe and stable lithium-ion batteries.
In terms of performance, lithium-ion batteries are now capable of storing maximum energy. Since the 1990s, they have benefited from continuous improvement, with their energy density doubling over time. Today, they represent the best technology on the market.
The advantages of lithium-ion batteries
Lithium offers an extremely high energy density, resulting in lighter batteries with greater autonomy. Lithium-ion batteries can store three to four times more energy than other battery technologies. They also have a significant advantage: they are not affected by the memory effect, so it is unnecessary to wait for a lithium-ion battery to fully discharge before recharging it. They also support numerous charge-discharge cycles and can recharge quickly.