- #1
SchroedingersLion
- 215
- 57
Greetings,
I realized that I don't understand a fundamental fact of common Li-ion batteries.
During the charging process, electrons are forcefully extracted from the cathode and pushed into the anode. Charge balance then yields a flow of positive Li ions from the cathode to the anode (through the electrolyte), where they are bound by the additional electrons.
That implies that both electrodes are still electrically neutral. However, the anode has higher chemical potential as more particles accumulated there (electrons and Li ions).
But this would mean that the current during the discharge process is actually a diffusion current. Since both electrodes are electrically neutral, there should be no electrostatic force between them.
Is this correct?
I realized that I don't understand a fundamental fact of common Li-ion batteries.
During the charging process, electrons are forcefully extracted from the cathode and pushed into the anode. Charge balance then yields a flow of positive Li ions from the cathode to the anode (through the electrolyte), where they are bound by the additional electrons.
That implies that both electrodes are still electrically neutral. However, the anode has higher chemical potential as more particles accumulated there (electrons and Li ions).
But this would mean that the current during the discharge process is actually a diffusion current. Since both electrodes are electrically neutral, there should be no electrostatic force between them.
Is this correct?