What are the components of Nickel-Cadmium, Nickel-Metal Hydride and Lithium Ion batteries?
Rechargeable batteries (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Li-Ion) behave like a conventional battery. They consist of two electrodes immersed in a solution (electrolyte). Between each part is a fibre separator of paper or plastic. Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery: The positive mass consists of Nickel Hydroxide and the negative mass of cadmium. The cadmium represents less than 20% of the rechargeable battery weight. Nickel-Metal Hydride battery (Ni-MH): The positive electrode is a Nickel Hydroxide alloy and the negative electrode a Metal Hydride (MH). Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) battery: This rechargeable battery offers high gravimetric and volumetric energy density. The no-load voltage is governed by a matching of electrodes for a Li2MnO2 / C combination, for instance, at a value of 3 V or 4 V, depending on the type of manganese diode being used. The anode consists of graphite. During recharging, the lithium is conducted in Ion form to the negative electrode. The process is reversed during discharge.