Anode and Cathode
All kinds of batteries have more or less similar mechanisms for producing electricity; the only difference is their materials and construction. A battery is actually a group of linked cells with two main components: the anode and the cathode. Electricity is produced when the cathode and the anode are placed between a substance that can conduct electricity, called an electrolyte. The anode draws oxygen atoms towards the conductor, creating an electric flow. When the circuit is complete (i.e. when a battery is installed in the device and the switch is turned on), the electricity will flow from the anode and out of the cathode producing an electric current.
Chemistry
"Lithium battery" is actually an umbrella term for a family of different cell chemistries which comprise many kinds of cathodes and electrolytes. There are over 20 kinds of chemistries for making a lithium battery. Some are designed for the consumer market while others have industrial and commercial applications.
Basic Structure
Probably the most common lithium battery is the metallic lithium battery, which is a flat and circular metal object, commonly seen in watches. In this kind of chemistry, lithium is used as the anode as all other lithium cells do, while manganese dioxide is used as the cathode. The metallic lithium battery has four layers. The first layer is the anode cup which contains the lithium. The second layer is a thin layer of lithium salt soaked in an organic solvent or electrolyte and acts as a separator between the anode and the cathode. The third layer is the cathode, which contains a tablet of manganese oxide. Finally, the fourth layer is the cathode can, which is the bottom of the cell. It contains a carbon layer that serves as a current collector and has a gasket around its inner edge.
Working Mode
Through the anode, the current flows into the battery and then flows out again through the cathode. The chemical reactions between the two generate the power of the lithium battery and consequently power the device or appliance once the battery is installed.
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