Cathode

Example

Use in Lemonergy

Connect each material with its function.

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Connected concepts

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Anode

The electrode where oxidation happens. On discharge that is the negative electrode; on charge it is the positive one. Battery makers nonetheless call the negative electrode “the anode” at all times, after its role on discharge.

Cathode active material

The lithium-containing compound in the positive electrode — NMC, NCA, LFP or LCO powder — that supplies the cell’s cyclable lithium. It is the most expensive material in most cells and sets the nominal voltage and much of the energy density.

Positive electrode

The electrode at the higher potential: a lithium metal oxide or phosphate coated on aluminium foil. It is the lithium source when a cell is built, and industry calls it the cathode.

Reduction

Gain of electrons by a species. On discharge the positive electrode is reduced as it takes up lithium ions and electrons, which is why it is called the cathode.

References & further reading

Further reading on this topic

These sources provide broader context; they are not presented as citations for every statement in this entry.

1. DOE Explains… Batteries

   U.S. Department of Energy

   Topic background · Introductory account of electrodes, electrolyte and conversion between chemical and electrical energy.

2. Current and future lithium-ion battery manufacturing

   Yangtao Liu, Ruihan Zhang, Jun Wang, Yan Wang · iScience · 2021

   Topic background · Electrode preparation, cell assembly, formation and manufacturing trade-offs.