The chemical principles of new energy vehicles mainly involve the energy conversion process of batteries, especially the working principle of lithium-ion batteries, which are currently the most widely used battery types in new energy vehicles. The following is an overview of the chemical principles of new energy vehicles using formats 1, 2, and 3:
1. The composition of lithium-ion batteries is mainly composed of positive electrode, negative electrode, electrolyte, and separator. Common positive electrode materials include lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, or ternary materials; The negative electrode materials are mainly graphite or silicon carbon composite materials. Electrolyte is a medium for the migration of lithium ions between positive and negative electrodes, usually formed by dissolving lithium salts in organic solvents. The diaphragm is used to isolate the positive and negative electrodes, prevent short circuits, and allow lithium ions to pass through.
During the charging process, an external power source applies voltage to the battery through a charger, causing lithium ions to detach from the positive electrode material, enter the electrolyte, pass through the separator, and ultimately embed into the negative electrode material. Meanwhile, in order to maintain charge balance, electrons flow from the positive electrode to the negative electrode through an external circuit. This process increases the chemical energy inside the battery, converting electrical energy into chemical energy for storage.
During the discharge process, the battery serves as a power source to supply power to external loads. At this point, lithium ions are deintercalated from the negative electrode material, enter the electrolyte, pass through the separator, and ultimately embed into the positive electrode material. At the same time, electrons flow from the negative electrode to the positive electrode through an external circuit, forming an electric current that provides energy to the load. This process reduces the chemical energy inside the battery, which is converted into electrical energy and released.
Lithium ion batteries in new energy vehicles achieve the conversion between electrical and chemical energy through the insertion and extraction of lithium ions between the positive and negative electrodes. When charging, electrical energy is converted into chemical energy and stored; When discharging, chemical energy is converted into electrical energy and released to provide power for the car.