GS3 ⚗️ General Science

Lithium-Ion Battery

/ˈlɪθiəm ˈaɪɒn ˈbætəri/

A rechargeable electrochemical cell in which lithium ions (Li⁺) shuttle between a graphite anode and a lithium metal oxide cathode through a non-aqueous electrolyte during charge and discharge cycles — offering high energy density (120–250 Wh/kg), long cycle life, and low self-discharge, making it the dominant battery technology for portable electronics, electric vehicles, and grid-scale energy storage.

Context & Background

First commercialised by Sony in 1991 based on the work of John Goodenough, M. Stanley Whittingham, and Akira Yoshino (Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 2019). Key cathode variants: LCO (phones), NMC (premium EVs), LFP (mass-market EVs, grid storage). India's ACC PLI scheme (₹18,100 crore) aims to establish 50 GWh of domestic battery manufacturing capacity.

UPSC Exam Relevance

GS3 (Science & Technology, Energy). Prelims: working principle (Li⁺ shuttle); cathode types (LFP safest, NMC highest energy density); Nobel 2019. Mains: EV transition — battery supply chain (lithium, cobalt, nickel), China's dominance, India's ACC PLI scheme, LFP vs NMC debate.