An electrode is an electrical conductor used to make contact with a nonmetallic part of a circuit (e.g. a semiconductor , an electrolyte , a vacuum or air). Electrodes are essential parts of batteries that can consist of a variety of materials (chemicals) depending on the type of battery.
130-403: A cathode is the electrode from which a conventional current leaves a polarized electrical device such as a lead-acid battery . This definition can be recalled by using the mnemonic CCD for Cathode Current Departs . A conventional current describes the direction in which positive charges move. Electrons have a negative electrical charge, so the movement of electrons is opposite to that of
260-446: A cathode is the electrode of an electrochemical cell at which reduction occurs. The cathode can be negative like when the cell is electrolytic (where electrical energy provided to the cell is being used for decomposing chemical compounds); or positive as when the cell is galvanic (where chemical reactions are used for generating electrical energy). The cathode supplies electrons to the positively charged cations which flow to it from
390-430: A galvanometer , but this method involves breaking the electrical circuit , which is sometimes inconvenient. Current can also be measured without breaking the circuit by detecting the magnetic field associated with the current. Devices, at the circuit level, use various techniques to measure current: Joule heating, also known as ohmic heating and resistive heating , is the process of power dissipation by which
520-453: A rectifier . Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through semiconductors , insulators , or even through a vacuum as in electron or ion beams . An old name for direct current was galvanic current . Natural observable examples of electric current include lightning , static electric discharge , and the solar wind , the source of the polar auroras . Man-made occurrences of electric current include
650-461: A semiconductor diode , the cathode is the N–doped layer of the p–n junction with a high density of free electrons due to doping, and an equal density of fixed positive charges, which are the dopants that have been thermally ionized. In the anode, the converse applies: It features a high density of free "holes" and consequently fixed negative dopants which have captured an electron (hence the origin of
780-494: A wire . In semiconductors they can be electrons or holes . In an electrolyte the charge carriers are ions , while in plasma , an ionized gas, they are ions and electrons. In the International System of Units (SI), electric current is expressed in units of ampere (sometimes called an "amp", symbol A), which is equivalent to one coulomb per second. The ampere is an SI base unit and electric current
910-411: A circuit, as an equal flow of negative charges in the opposite direction. Since current can be the flow of either positive or negative charges, or both, a convention is needed for the direction of current that is independent of the type of charge carriers . Negatively charged carriers, such as the electrons (the charge carriers in metal wires and many other electronic circuit components), therefore flow in
1040-405: A common lead-acid electrochemical cell, electric currents are composed of positive hydronium ions flowing in one direction, and negative sulfate ions flowing in the other. Electric currents in sparks or plasma are flows of electrons as well as positive and negative ions. In ice and in certain solid electrolytes, the electric current is entirely composed of flowing ions. In a metal , some of
1170-486: A current can be applied to the working electrode . The counter electrode is usually made of an inert material, such as a noble metal or graphite , to keep it from dissolving. In arc welding , an electrode is used to conduct current through a workpiece to fuse two pieces together. Depending upon the process, the electrode is either consumable, in the case of gas metal arc welding or shielded metal arc welding , or non-consumable, such as in gas tungsten arc welding . For
1300-416: A definition of current independent of the type of charge carriers, conventional current is defined as moving in the same direction as the positive charge flow. So, in metals where the charge carriers (electrons) are negative, conventional current is in the opposite direction to the overall electron movement. In conductors where the charge carriers are positive, conventional current is in the same direction as
1430-449: A direct current system, the weld rod or stick may be a cathode for a filling type weld or an anode for other welding processes. For an alternating current arc welder, the welding electrode would not be considered an anode or cathode. For electrical systems which use alternating current , the electrodes are the connections from the circuitry to the object to be acted upon by the electric current but are not designated anode or cathode because
SECTION 10
#17327919741371560-404: A given selection of constituents of the electrode, the final efficiency is determined by the internal structure of the electrode. The important factors in the internal structure in determining the performance of the electrode are: These properties can be influenced in the production of the electrodes in a number of manners. The most important step in the manufacturing of the electrodes is creating
1690-401: A high volumetric one. Furthermore, Silicon has the advantage of operating under a reasonable open circuit voltage without parasitic lithium reactions. However, silicon anodes have a major issue of volumetric expansion during lithiation of around 360%. This expansion may pulverize the anode, resulting in poor performance. To fix this problem, scientists looked into varying the dimensionality of
1820-733: A highly efficient conductive network that securely binds lithium iron phosphate particles, adding carbon nanotubes as a conductive additive at a dosage of just 0.5 wt.% helps cathodes to achieve a remarkable rate capacity of 161.5 mAh g-1 at 0.5 C and 130.2 mAh g-1 at 5 C, whole maintaining 87.4% capacity retention after 200 cycles at 2 C. The anodes used in mass-produced Li-ion batteries are either carbon based (usually graphite) or made out of spinel lithium titanate (Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 ). Graphite anodes have been successfully implemented in many modern commercially available batteries due to its cheap price, longevity and high energy density. However, it presents issues of dendrite growth, with risks of shorting
1950-447: A localized high current. These regions may be initiated by field electron emission , but are then sustained by localized thermionic emission once a vacuum arc forms. These small electron-emitting regions can form quite rapidly, even explosively, on a metal surface subjected to a high electrical field. Vacuum tubes and sprytrons are some of the electronic switching and amplifying devices based on vacuum conductivity. Superconductivity
2080-532: A low work function . Treated cathodes require less surface area, lower temperatures and less power to supply the same cathode current. The untreated tungsten filaments used in early tubes (called "bright emitters") had to be heated to 1,400 °C (2,550 °F), white-hot, to produce sufficient thermionic emission for use, while modern coated cathodes produce far more electrons at a given temperature so they only have to be heated to 425–600 °C (797–1,112 °F) There are two main types of treated cathodes: This
2210-572: A lower cost, however there are some problems associated with using manganese. The main problem is that manganese tends to dissolve into the electrolyte over time. For this reason, cobalt is still the most common element which is used in the lithium compounds. There is much research being done into finding new materials which can be used to create cheaper and longer lasting Li-ion batteries For example, Chinese and American researchers have demonstrated that ultralong single wall carbon nanotubes significantly enhance lithium iron phosphate cathodes. By creating
2340-428: A metal wire is connected across the two terminals of a DC voltage source such as a battery , the source places an electric field across the conductor. The moment contact is made, the free electrons of the conductor are forced to drift toward the positive terminal under the influence of this field. The free electrons are therefore the charge carrier in a typical solid conductor. For a steady flow of charge through
2470-404: A millimetre per second. To take a different example, in the near-vacuum inside a cathode-ray tube , the electrons travel in near-straight lines at about a tenth of the speed of light . Any accelerating electric charge, and therefore any changing electric current, gives rise to an electromagnetic wave that propagates at very high speed outside the surface of the conductor. This speed is usually
2600-399: A more extensive mathematical treatment one could read the paper by Newton. An interpretation of this result and what a closer look at the physical meaning of the λ {\displaystyle \lambda } one can read the paper by Marcus. the situation at hand can be more accurately described by using the displaced harmonic oscillator model, in this model quantum tunneling
2730-484: A paper on the recently discovered process of electrolysis. In that paper Faraday explained that when an electrolytic cell is oriented so that electric current traverses the "decomposing body" (electrolyte) in a direction "from East to West, or, which will strengthen this help to the memory, that in which the sun appears to move", the cathode is where the current leaves the electrolyte, on the West side: " kata downwards, `odos
SECTION 20
#17327919741372860-408: A particular band called the valence band . Semiconductors and insulators are distinguished from metals because the valence band in any given metal is nearly filled with electrons under usual operating conditions, while very few (semiconductor) or virtually none (insulator) of them are available in the conduction band , the band immediately above the valence band. The ease of exciting electrons in
2990-430: A pure metal surface on the cathode. Items to be plated with pure metal are attached to and become part of the cathode in the electrolytic solution. In a vacuum tube or electronic vacuum system, the cathode is a metal surface which emits free electrons into the evacuated space. Since the electrons are attracted to the positive nuclei of the metal atoms, they normally stay inside the metal and require energy to leave it; this
3120-475: A significant fraction of the speed of light, as can be deduced from Maxwell's equations , and is therefore many times faster than the drift velocity of the electrons. For example, in AC power lines , the waves of electromagnetic energy propagate through the space between the wires, moving from a source to a distant load , even though the electrons in the wires only move back and forth over a tiny distance. The ratio of
3250-422: A specific task. Typical constituents are the active materials which serve as the particles which oxidate or reduct, conductive agents which improve the conductivity of the electrode and binders which are used to contain the active particles within the electrode. The efficiency of electrochemical cells is judged by a number of properties, important quantities are the self-discharge time, the discharge voltage and
3380-405: A surface, the current I (in amperes) can be calculated with the following equation: I = Q t , {\displaystyle I={Q \over t}\,,} where Q is the electric charge transferred through the surface over a time t . If Q and t are measured in coulombs and seconds respectively, I is in amperes. More generally, electric current can be represented as
3510-474: A way; the way which the sun sets". The use of 'West' to mean the 'out' direction (actually 'out' → 'West' → 'sunset' → 'down', i.e. 'out of view') may appear unnecessarily contrived. Previously, as related in the first reference cited above, Faraday had used the more straightforward term "exode" (the doorway where the current exits). His motivation for changing it to something meaning 'the West electrode' (other candidates had been "westode", "occiode" and "dysiode")
3640-414: A zinc anode and a manganese oxide cathode in which ZnO is formed. The half-reactions are: Overall reaction: The ZnO is prone to clumping and will give less efficient discharge if recharged again. It is possible to recharge these batteries but is due to safety concerns advised against by the manufacturer. Other primary cells include zinc–carbon , zinc–chloride , and lithium iron disulfide. Contrary to
3770-603: Is I , which originates from the French phrase intensité du courant , (current intensity). Current intensity is often referred to simply as current . The I symbol was used by André-Marie Ampère , after whom the unit of electric current is named, in formulating Ampère's force law (1820). The notation travelled from France to Great Britain, where it became standard, although at least one journal did not change from using C to I until 1896. The conventional direction of current, also known as conventional current ,
3900-469: Is manganese . The best choice of compound usually depends on the application of the battery. Advantages for cobalt-based compounds over manganese-based compounds are their high specific heat capacity, high volumetric heat capacity , low self-discharge rate, high discharge voltage and high cycle durability. There are however also drawbacks in using cobalt-based compounds such as their high cost and their low thermostability . Manganese has similar advantages and
4030-551: Is a base quantity in the International System of Quantities (ISQ). Electric current is also known as amperage and is measured using a device called an ammeter . Electric currents create magnetic fields , which are used in motors, generators, inductors , and transformers . In ordinary conductors, they cause Joule heating , which creates light in incandescent light bulbs . Time-varying currents emit electromagnetic waves , which are used in telecommunications to broadcast information. The conventional symbol for current
Cathode - Misplaced Pages Continue
4160-402: Is a cathode that is not heated by a filament. They may emit electrons by field electron emission , and in gas-filled tubes by secondary emission . Some examples are electrodes in neon lights , cold-cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) used as backlights in laptops, thyratron tubes, and Crookes tubes . They do not necessarily operate at room temperature; in some devices the cathode is heated by
4290-407: Is a flow of charged particles , such as electrons or ions , moving through an electrical conductor or space. It is defined as the net rate of flow of electric charge through a surface. The moving particles are called charge carriers , which may be one of several types of particles, depending on the conductor . In electric circuits the charge carriers are often electrons moving through
4420-523: Is a phenomenon of exactly zero electrical resistance and expulsion of magnetic fields occurring in certain materials when cooled below a characteristic critical temperature . It was discovered by Heike Kamerlingh Onnes on April 8, 1911 in Leiden . Like ferromagnetism and atomic spectral lines , superconductivity is a quantum mechanical phenomenon. It is characterized by the Meissner effect ,
4550-417: Is a theory originally developed by Nobel laureate Rudolph A. Marcus and explains the rate at which an electron can move from one chemical species to another, for this article this can be seen as 'jumping' from the electrode to a species in the solvent or vice versa. We can represent the problem as calculating the transfer rate for the transfer of an electron from donor to an acceptor The potential energy of
4680-414: Is allowed. This is needed in order to explain why even at near-zero Kelvin there still are electron transfers, in contradiction to the classical theory. Without going into too much detail on how the derivation is done, it rests on using Fermi's golden rule from time-dependent perturbation theory with the full Hamiltonian of the system. It is possible to look at the overlap in the wavefunctions of both
4810-411: Is arbitrarily defined as the direction in which positive charges flow. In a conductive material , the moving charged particles that constitute the electric current are called charge carriers . In metals, which make up the wires and other conductors in most electrical circuits , the positively charged atomic nuclei of the atoms are held in a fixed position, and the negatively charged electrons are
4940-401: Is being done into increasing the efficiency, safety and reducing the costs of these electrodes specifically. In Li-ion batteries, the cathode consists of a intercalated lithium compound (a layered material consisting of layers of molecules composed of lithium and other elements). A common element which makes up part of the molecules in the compound is cobalt . Another frequently used element
5070-420: Is called the work function of the metal. Cathodes are induced to emit electrons by several mechanisms: Cathodes can be divided into two types: A hot cathode is a cathode that is heated by a filament to produce electrons by thermionic emission . The filament is a thin wire of a refractory metal like tungsten heated red-hot by an electric current passing through it. Before the advent of transistors in
5200-683: Is current. Magnetic fields can also be used to make electric currents. When a changing magnetic field is applied to a conductor, an electromotive force (EMF) is induced, which starts an electric current, when there is a suitable path. When an electric current flows in a suitably shaped conductor at radio frequencies , radio waves can be generated. These travel at the speed of light and can cause electric currents in distant conductors. In metallic solids, electric charge flows by means of electrons , from lower to higher electrical potential . In other media, any stream of charged objects (ions, for example) may constitute an electric current. To provide
5330-460: Is exceeded. Electrode Michael Faraday coined the term " electrode " in 1833; the word recalls the Greek ἤλεκτρον ( ḗlektron , "amber") and ὁδός ( hodós , "path, way"). The electrophore , invented by Johan Wilcke in 1762, was an early version of an electrode used to study static electricity . Electrodes are an essential part of any battery . The first electrochemical battery
Cathode - Misplaced Pages Continue
5460-499: Is in lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion batteries). A Li-ion battery is a kind of flow battery which can be seen in the image on the right. Furthermore, a Li-ion battery is an example of a secondary cell since it is rechargeable. It can both act as a galvanic or electrolytic cell . Li-ion batteries use lithium ions as the solute in the electrolyte which are dissolved in an organic solvent . Lithium electrodes were first studied by Gilbert N. Lewis and Frederick G. Keyes in 1913. In
5590-423: Is in a nanowire , for every energy there is a state with electrons flowing in one direction and another state with the electrons flowing in the other. For a net current to flow, more states for one direction than for the other direction must be occupied. For this to occur, energy is required, as in the semiconductor the next higher states lie above the band gap. Often this is stated as: full bands do not contribute to
5720-468: Is low, gases are dielectrics or insulators . However, once the applied electric field approaches the breakdown value, free electrons become sufficiently accelerated by the electric field to create additional free electrons by colliding, and ionizing , neutral gas atoms or molecules in a process called avalanche breakdown . The breakdown process forms a plasma that contains enough mobile electrons and positive ions to make it an electrical conductor. In
5850-494: Is mechanical shock, which breaks either the electrode or the system's container, leading to poor conductivity and electrolyte leakage. However, the relevance of mechanical properties of electrodes goes beyond the resistance to collisions due to its environment. During standard operation, the incorporation of ions into electrodes leads to a change in volume. This is well exemplified by Si electrodes in lithium-ion batteries expanding around 300% during lithiation. Such change may lead to
5980-399: Is now the pre-exponential factor has now been described by more physical parameters instead of the experimental factor A {\displaystyle A} . One is once again revered to the sources as listed below for a more in-depth and rigorous mathematical derivation and interpretation. The physical properties of electrodes are mainly determined by the material of the electrode and
6110-557: Is obtained very similar to the classically derived formula, as expected. w E T = | J | 2 ℏ π λ k T exp [ − ( Δ E + λ ) 2 4 λ k T ] {\displaystyle w_{ET}={\frac {|J|^{2}}{\hbar }}{\sqrt {\frac {\pi }{\lambda kT}}}\exp \left[{\frac {-(\Delta E+\lambda )^{2}}{4\lambda kT}}\right]} The main difference
6240-455: Is opposite that of the chosen reference direction. Ohm's law states that the current through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the potential difference across the two points. Introducing the constant of proportionality, the resistance , one arrives at the usual mathematical equation that describes this relationship: I = V R , {\displaystyle I={\frac {V}{R}},} where I
6370-658: Is opposite to the velocity of the charges. In SI units , current density (symbol: j) is expressed in the SI base units of amperes per square metre. In linear materials such as metals, and under low frequencies, the current density across the conductor surface is uniform. In such conditions, Ohm's law states that the current is directly proportional to the potential difference between two ends (across) of that metal (ideal) resistor (or other ohmic device ): I = V R , {\displaystyle I={V \over R}\,,} where I {\displaystyle I}
6500-441: Is subject to reversals whereas the current direction convention on which the "exode" term was based has no reason to change in the future. Since the later discovery of the electron , an easier to remember, and more durably technically correct (although historically false), etymology has been suggested: cathode, from the Greek kathodos , 'way down', 'the way (down) into the cell (or other device) for electrons'. In chemistry ,
6630-433: Is the current through the conductor in units of amperes , V is the potential difference measured across the conductor in units of volts , and R is the resistance of the conductor in units of ohms . More specifically, Ohm's law states that the R in this relation is constant, independent of the current. In alternating current (AC) systems, the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. AC
SECTION 50
#17327919741376760-400: Is the current, measured in amperes; V {\displaystyle V} is the potential difference , measured in volts ; and R {\displaystyle R} is the resistance , measured in ohms . For alternating currents , especially at higher frequencies, skin effect causes the current to spread unevenly across the conductor cross-section, with higher density near
6890-441: Is the form of electric power most commonly delivered to businesses and residences. The usual waveform of an AC power circuit is a sine wave , though certain applications use alternative waveforms, such as triangular or square waves . Audio and radio signals carried on electrical wires are also examples of alternating current. An important goal in these applications is recovery of information encoded (or modulated ) onto
7020-416: Is the positive terminal and also the anode . In a diode , the cathode is the negative terminal at the pointed end of the arrow symbol, where current flows out of the device. Note: electrode naming for diodes is always based on the direction of the forward current (that of the arrow, in which the current flows "most easily"), even for types such as Zener diodes or solar cells where the current of interest
7150-413: Is the positive terminal and the cathode. A battery that is recharging or an electrolytic cell performing electrolysis has its cathode as the negative terminal, from which current exits the device and returns to the external generator as charge enters the battery/ cell. For example, reversing the current direction in a Daniell galvanic cell converts it into an electrolytic cell where the copper electrode
7280-461: Is the rate at which charge passes through a chosen unit area. It is defined as a vector whose magnitude is the current per unit cross-sectional area. As discussed in Reference direction , the direction is arbitrary. Conventionally, if the moving charges are positive, then the current density has the same sign as the velocity of the charges. For negative charges, the sign of the current density
7410-653: Is the reorganisation energy. Filling this result in the classically derived Arrhenius equation k = A exp ( − Δ G † k T ) , {\displaystyle k=A\,\exp \left({\frac {-\Delta G^{\dagger }}{kT}}\right),} leads to k = A exp [ − ( Δ G 0 + λ ) 2 4 λ k T ] {\displaystyle k=A\,\exp \left[{\frac {-(\Delta G^{0}+\lambda )^{2}}{4\lambda kT}}\right]} With A being
7540-510: Is the reverse current. In vacuum tubes (including cathode-ray tubes ) it is the negative terminal where electrons enter the device from the external circuit and proceed into the tube's near-vacuum, constituting a positive current flowing out of the device. The word was coined in 1834 from the Greek κάθοδος ( kathodos ), 'descent' or 'way down', by William Whewell , who had been consulted by Michael Faraday over some new names needed to complete
7670-458: Is where conventional current flows out of the device. This outward current is carried internally by positive ions moving from the electrolyte to the positive cathode (chemical energy is responsible for this "uphill" motion). It is continued externally by electrons moving into the battery which constitutes positive current flowing outwards. For example, the Daniell galvanic cell 's copper electrode
7800-403: Is zero net current within the metal. At room temperature, the average speed of these random motions is 10 metres per second. Given a surface through which a metal wire passes, electrons move in both directions across the surface at an equal rate. As George Gamow wrote in his popular science book, One, Two, Three...Infinity (1947), "The metallic substances differ from all other materials by
7930-424: The conventional current flow. Consequently, the mnemonic cathode current departs also means that electrons flow into the device's cathode from the external circuit. For example, the end of a household battery marked with a + (plus) is the cathode. The electrode through which conventional current flows the other way, into the device, is termed an anode . Conventional current flows from cathode to anode outside
SECTION 60
#17327919741378060-486: The cycle performance . The physical properties of the electrodes play an important role in determining these quantities. Important properties of the electrodes are: the electrical resistivity , the specific heat capacity (c_p), the electrode potential and the hardness . Of course, for technological applications, the cost of the material is also an important factor. The values of these properties at room temperature (T = 293 K) for some commonly used materials are listed in
8190-405: The electrical conductivity . However, as a semiconductor's temperature rises above absolute zero , there is more energy in the semiconductor to spend on lattice vibration and on exciting electrons into the conduction band. The current-carrying electrons in the conduction band are known as free electrons , though they are often simply called electrons if that is clear in context. Current density
8320-458: The reference direction of the current I {\displaystyle I} . When analyzing electrical circuits , the actual direction of current through a specific circuit element is usually unknown until the analysis is completed. Consequently, the reference directions of currents are often assigned arbitrarily. When the circuit is solved, a negative value for the current implies the actual direction of current through that circuit element
8450-418: The watt (symbol: W), is equivalent to one joule per second. In an electromagnet a coil of wires behaves like a magnet when an electric current flows through it. When the current is switched off, the coil loses its magnetism immediately. Electric current produces a magnetic field . The magnetic field can be visualized as a pattern of circular field lines surrounding the wire that persists as long as there
8580-491: The 1960s, virtually all electronic equipment used hot-cathode vacuum tubes . Today hot cathodes are used in vacuum tubes in radio transmitters and microwave ovens, to produce the electron beams in older cathode-ray tube (CRT) type televisions and computer monitors, in x-ray generators , electron microscopes , and fluorescent tubes . There are two types of hot cathodes: In order to improve electron emission, cathodes are treated with chemicals, usually compounds of metals with
8710-449: The AC signal. In contrast, direct current (DC) refers to a system in which the movement of electric charge in only one direction (sometimes called unidirectional flow). Direct current is produced by sources such as batteries , thermocouples , solar cells , and commutator -type electric machines of the dynamo type. Alternating current can also be converted to direct current through use of
8840-585: The Si. Many studies have been developed in Si nanowires , Si tubes as well as Si sheets. As a result, composite hierarchical Si anodes have become the major technology for future applications in lithium-ion batteries. In the early 2020s, technology is reaching commercial levels with factories being built for mass production of anodes in the United States. Furthermore, metallic lithium is another possible candidate for
8970-467: The added stress and, therefore changes the battery's performance. Furthermore, mechanical stresses may also impact the electrode's solid-electrolyte-interphase layer. The interface which regulates the ion and charge transfer and can be degraded by stress. Thus, more ions in the solution will be consumed to reform it, diminishing the overall efficiency of the system. In a vacuum tube or a semiconductor having polarity ( diodes , electrolytic capacitors )
9100-408: The anode comes from the oxidation reaction that takes place next to it. The cathode is in many ways the opposite of the anode. The name (also coined by Whewell) comes from the Greek words κάτω (kato), 'downwards' and ὁδός (hodós), 'a way'. It is the positive electrode, meaning the electrons flow from the electrical circuit through the cathode into the non-metallic part of the electrochemical cell. At
9230-401: The anode is the positive (+) electrode and the cathode the negative (−). The electrons enter the device through the cathode and exit the device through the anode. Many devices have other electrodes to control operation, e.g., base, gate, control grid. In a three-electrode cell, a counter electrode, also called an auxiliary electrode , is used only to make a connection to the electrolyte so that
9360-411: The anode. It boasts a higher specific capacity than silicon, however, does come with the drawback of working with the highly unstable metallic lithium. Similarly to graphite anodes, dendrite formation is another major limitation of metallic lithium, with the solid electrolyte interphase being a major design challenge. In the end, if stabilized, metallic lithium would be able to produce batteries that hold
9490-685: The applied bias reduces the built in potential barrier. Electrons which diffuse from the cathode into the P-doped layer, or anode, become what are termed "minority carriers" and tend to recombine there with the majority carriers, which are holes, on a timescale characteristic of the material which is the p-type minority carrier lifetime. Similarly, holes diffusing into the N-doped layer become minority carriers and tend to recombine with electrons. In equilibrium, with no applied bias, thermally assisted diffusion of electrons and holes in opposite directions across
9620-481: The battery and posing a safety issue. Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 has the second largest market share of anodes, due to its stability and good rate capability, but with challenges such as low capacity. During the early 2000s, silicon anode research began picking up pace, becoming one of the decade's most promising candidates for future lithium-ion battery anodes. Silicon has one of the highest gravimetric capacities when compared to graphite and Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 as well as
9750-420: The cathode interface to a species in solution. The anodic current is the flow of electrons into the anode from a species in solution. In an electrolytic cell , the cathode is where the negative polarity is applied to drive the cell. Common results of reduction at the cathode are hydrogen gas or pure metal from metal ions. When discussing the relative reducing power of two redox agents, the couple for generating
9880-455: The cathode, the reduction reaction takes place with the electrons arriving from the wire connected to the cathode and are absorbed by the oxidizing agent . A primary cell is a battery designed to be used once and then discarded. This is due to the electrochemical reactions taking place at the electrodes in the cell not being reversible. An example of a primary cell is the discardable alkaline battery commonly used in flashlights. Consisting of
10010-432: The cell or device (with electrons moving in the opposite direction), regardless of the cell or device type and operating mode. Cathode polarity with respect to the anode can be positive or negative depending on how the device is being operated. Inside a device or a cell, positively charged cations always move towards the cathode and negatively charged anions move towards the anode, although cathode polarity depends on
10140-412: The charge carriers, free to move about in the metal. In other materials, notably the semiconductors , the charge carriers can be positive or negative, depending on the dopant used. Positive and negative charge carriers may even be present at the same time, as happens in an electrolyte in an electrochemical cell . A flow of positive charges gives the same electric current, and has the same effect in
10270-402: The charge carriers. In a vacuum , a beam of ions or electrons may be formed. In other conductive materials, the electric current is due to the flow of both positively and negatively charged particles at the same time. In still others, the current is entirely due to positive charge flow . For example, the electric currents in electrolytes are flows of positively and negatively charged ions. In
10400-415: The chemical driving forces are usually higher in magnitude than the mechanical energies, this is not true for Li-ion batteries. A study by Dr. Larché established a direct relation between the applied stress and the chemical potential of the electrode. Though it neglects multiple variables such as the variation of elastic constraints, it subtracts from the total chemical potential the elastic energy induced by
10530-534: The complete ejection of magnetic field lines from the interior of the superconductor as it transitions into the superconducting state. The occurrence of the Meissner effect indicates that superconductivity cannot be understood simply as the idealization of perfect conductivity in classical physics . In a semiconductor it is sometimes useful to think of the current as due to the flow of positive " holes " (the mobile positive charge carriers that are places where
10660-544: The correct voltages within radio antennas , radio waves are generated. In electronics , other forms of electric current include the flow of electrons through resistors or through the vacuum in a vacuum tube , the flow of ions inside a battery , and the flow of holes within metals and semiconductors . A biological example of current is the flow of ions in neurons and nerves, responsible for both thought and sensory perception. Current can be measured using an ammeter . Electric current can be directly measured with
10790-426: The deformations in the lattice and, therefore stresses in the material. The origin of stresses may be due to geometric constraints in the electrode or inhomogeneous plating of the ion. This phenomenon is very concerning as it may lead to electrode fracture and performance loss. Thus, mechanical properties are crucial to enable the development of new electrodes for long lasting batteries. A possible strategy for measuring
10920-405: The depletion layer because they are depleted of free electrons and holes. The depletion layer at the junction is at the origin of the diode's rectifying properties. This is due to the resulting internal field and corresponding potential barrier which inhibit current flow in reverse applied bias which increases the internal depletion layer field. Conversely, they allow it in forwards applied bias where
11050-416: The depletion layer ensure a zero net current with electrons flowing from cathode to anode and recombining, and holes flowing from anode to cathode across the junction or depletion layer and recombining. Like a typical diode, there is a fixed anode and cathode in a Zener diode, but it will conduct current in the reverse direction (electrons flow from anode to cathode) if its breakdown voltage or "Zener voltage"
11180-402: The device type, and can even vary according to the operating mode. Whether the cathode is negatively polarized (such as recharging a battery) or positively polarized (such as a battery in use), the cathode will draw electrons into it from outside, as well as attract positively charged cations from inside. A battery or galvanic cell in use has a cathode that is the positive terminal since that
11310-611: The direction of flow of the electrons changes periodically , usually many times per second . Chemically modified electrodes are electrodes that have their surfaces chemically modified to change the electrode's physical , chemical , electrochemical , optical , electrical , and transportive properties. These electrodes are used for advanced purposes in research and investigation. Electrodes are used to provide current through nonmetal objects to alter them in numerous ways and to measure conductivity for numerous purposes. Examples include: Electric current An electric current
11440-466: The electrical circuit of an electrochemical cell (battery) into the non- metallic cell. The electrons then flow to the other side of the battery. Benjamin Franklin surmised that the electrical flow moved from positive to negative. The electrons flow away from the anode and the conventional current towards it. From both can be concluded that the charge of the anode is negative. The electron entering
11570-401: The electrode slurry. As can be seen above, the important properties of the electrode all have to do with the even distribution of the components of the electrode. Therefore, it is very important that the electrode slurry be as homogeneous as possible. Multiple procedures have been developed to improve this mixing stage and current research is still being done. A modern application of electrodes
11700-400: The electrolyte (even if the cell is galvanic, i.e., when the cathode is positive and therefore would be expected to repel the positively charged cations; this is due to electrode potential relative to the electrolyte solution being different for the anode and cathode metal/electrolyte systems in a galvanic cell ). The cathodic current , in electrochemistry , is the flow of electrons from
11830-576: The electron current flowing through it to a temperature at which thermionic emission occurs. For example, in some fluorescent tubes a momentary high voltage is applied to the electrodes to start the current through the tube; after starting the electrodes are heated enough by the current to keep emitting electrons to sustain the discharge. Cold cathodes may also emit electrons by photoelectric emission . These are often called photocathodes and are used in phototubes used in scientific instruments and image intensifier tubes used in night vision goggles. In
11960-415: The electronic coupling constant describing the interaction between the two states (reactants and products) and g ( t ) {\displaystyle g(t)} being the line shape function . Taking the classical limit of this expression, meaning ℏ ω ≪ k T {\displaystyle \hbar \omega \ll kT} , and making some substitution an expression
12090-410: The energy of the ground state, the state in which electrons are tightly bound to the atomic nuclei of the material, and the free electron energy, the latter describing the energy required for an electron to escape entirely from the material. The energy bands each correspond to many discrete quantum states of the electrons, and most of the states with low energy (closer to the nucleus) are occupied, up to
12220-458: The fact that the outer shells of their atoms are bound rather loosely, and often let one of their electrons go free. Thus the interior of a metal is filled up with a large number of unattached electrons that travel aimlessly around like a crowd of displaced persons. When a metal wire is subjected to electric force applied on its opposite ends, these free electrons rush in the direction of the force, thus forming what we call an electric current." When
12350-459: The flow of conduction electrons in metal wires such as the overhead power lines that deliver electrical energy across long distances and the smaller wires within electrical and electronic equipment. Eddy currents are electric currents that occur in conductors exposed to changing magnetic fields. Similarly, electric currents occur, particularly in the surface, of conductors exposed to electromagnetic waves . When oscillating electric currents flow at
12480-482: The following century these electrodes were used to create and study the first Li-ion batteries. Li-ion batteries are very popular due to their great performance. Applications include mobile phones and electric cars. Due to their popularity, much research is being done to reduce the cost and increase the safety of Li-ion batteries. An integral part of the Li-ion batteries are their anodes and cathodes, therefore much research
12610-410: The heavier positive ions, and hence carry the bulk of the current. The free ions recombine to create new chemical compounds (for example, breaking atmospheric oxygen into single oxygen [O 2 → 2O], which then recombine creating ozone [O 3 ]). Since a " perfect vacuum " contains no charged particles, it normally behaves as a perfect insulator. However, metal electrode surfaces can cause a region of
12740-434: The holes). When P and N-doped layers are created adjacent to each other, diffusion ensures that electrons flow from high to low density areas: That is, from the N to the P side. They leave behind the fixed positively charged dopants near the junction. Similarly, holes diffuse from P to N leaving behind fixed negative ionised dopants near the junction. These layers of fixed positive and negative charges are collectively known as
12870-440: The length of the wire he deduced that the heat produced was proportional to the square of the current multiplied by the electrical resistance of the wire. P ∝ I 2 R . {\displaystyle P\propto I^{2}R.} This relationship is known as Joule's Law . The SI unit of energy was subsequently named the joule and given the symbol J . The commonly known SI unit of power,
13000-410: The mechanical behavior of electrodes during operation is by using nanoindentation . The method is able to analyze how the stresses evolve during the electrochemical reactions, being a valuable tool in evaluating possible pathways for coupling mechanical behavior and electrochemistry. More than just affecting the electrode's morphology, stresses are also able to impact electrochemical reactions. While
13130-424: The metal into the vacuum. Externally heated electrodes are often used to generate an electron cloud as in the filament or indirectly heated cathode of vacuum tubes . Cold electrodes can also spontaneously produce electron clouds via thermionic emission when small incandescent regions (called cathode spots or anode spots ) are formed. These are incandescent regions of the electrode surface that are created by
13260-400: The more reducing species is said to be more "cathodic" with respect to the more easily reduced reagent. In a galvanic cell , the cathode is where the positive pole is connected to allow the circuit to be completed: as the anode of the galvanic cell gives off electrons, they return from the circuit into the cell through the cathode. When metal ions are reduced from ionic solution, they form
13390-413: The most charge, while being the lightest. In recent years, researchers have conducted several studies on the use of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as conductive additives. These SWCNTs help to preserve electron conduction, ensure stable electrochemical reactions, and maintain uniform volume changes during cycling, effectively reducing anode pulverization. A common failure mechanism of batteries
13520-424: The moving electrons in metals. In certain electrolyte mixtures, brightly coloured ions are the moving electric charges. The slow progress of the colour makes the current visible. In air and other ordinary gases below the breakdown field, the dominant source of electrical conduction is via relatively few mobile ions produced by radioactive gases, ultraviolet light, or cosmic rays. Since the electrical conductivity
13650-400: The opposite direction of conventional current flow in an electrical circuit. A current in a wire or circuit element can flow in either of two directions. When defining a variable I {\displaystyle I} to represent the current, the direction representing positive current must be specified, usually by an arrow on the circuit schematic diagram . This is called
13780-403: The opposite direction of the electric field. The speed they drift at can be calculated from the equation: I = n A v Q , {\displaystyle I=nAvQ\,,} where Typically, electric charges in solids flow slowly. For example, in a copper wire of cross-section 0.5 mm , carrying a current of 5 A, the drift velocity of the electrons is on the order of
13910-502: The outer electrons in each atom are not bound to the individual molecules as they are in molecular solids , or in full bands as they are in insulating materials, but are free to move within the metal lattice . These conduction electrons can serve as charge carriers , carrying a current. Metals are particularly conductive because there are many of these free electrons. With no external electric field applied, these electrons move about randomly due to thermal energy but, on average, there
14040-455: The overall free energy of the reaction ( Δ G 0 {\displaystyle \Delta G^{0}} ). Δ G † = 1 4 λ ( Δ G 0 + λ ) 2 {\displaystyle \Delta G^{\dagger }={\frac {1}{4\lambda }}(\Delta G^{0}+\lambda )^{2}} In which the λ {\displaystyle \lambda }
14170-413: The passage of an electric current through a conductor increases the internal energy of the conductor, converting thermodynamic work into heat . The phenomenon was first studied by James Prescott Joule in 1841. Joule immersed a length of wire in a fixed mass of water and measured the temperature rise due to a known current through the wire for a 30 minute period. By varying the current and
14300-488: The point of intersection (Q x ). One important thing to note, and was noted by Marcus when he came up with the theory, the electron transfer must abide by the law of conservation of energy and the Frank-Condon principle. Doing this and then rearranging this leads to the expression of the free energy activation ( Δ G † {\displaystyle \Delta G^{\dagger }} ) in terms of
14430-422: The pre-exponential factor which is usually experimentally determined, although a semi classical derivation provides more information as will be explained below. This classically derived result qualitatively reproduced observations of a maximum electron transfer rate under the conditions Δ G † = λ {\displaystyle \Delta G^{\dagger }=\lambda } . For
14560-517: The primary cell a secondary cell can be recharged. The first was the lead–acid battery , invented in 1859 by French physicist Gaston Planté . This type of battery is still the most widely used in among others automobiles. The cathode consists of lead dioxide (PbO2) and the anode of solid lead. Other commonly used rechargeable batteries are nickel–cadmium , nickel–metal hydride , and Lithium-ion . The last of which will be explained more thoroughly in this article due to its importance. Marcus theory
14690-468: The process, it forms a light emitting conductive path, such as a spark , arc or lightning . Plasma is the state of matter where some of the electrons in a gas are stripped or "ionized" from their molecules or atoms. A plasma can be formed by high temperature , or by application of a high electric or alternating magnetic field as noted above. Due to their lower mass, the electrons in a plasma accelerate more quickly in response to an electric field than
14820-401: The rate at which charge flows through a given surface as: I = d Q d t . {\displaystyle I={\frac {\mathrm {d} Q}{\mathrm {d} t}}\,.} Electric currents in electrolytes are flows of electrically charged particles ( ions ). For example, if an electric field is placed across a solution of Na and Cl (and conditions are right)
14950-892: The reactants and the products (the right and the left side of the chemical reaction) and therefore when their energies are the same and allow for electron transfer. As touched on before this must happen because only then conservation of energy is abided by. Skipping over a few mathematical steps the probability of electron transfer can be calculated (albeit quite difficult) using the following formula w E T = | J | 2 ℏ 2 ∫ − ∞ + ∞ d t e − i Δ E t / ℏ − g ( t ) {\displaystyle w_{ET}={\frac {|J|^{2}}{\hbar ^{2}}}\int _{-\infty }^{+\infty }dt\,e^{-i\Delta Et/\hbar -g(t)}} With J {\displaystyle J} being
15080-581: The same direction as a hypothetical magnetizing current loop around the local line of latitude which would induce a magnetic dipole field oriented like the Earth's. This made the internal current East to West as previously mentioned, but in the event of a later convention change it would have become West to East, so that the West electrode would not have been the 'way out' any more. Therefore, "exode" would have become inappropriate, whereas "cathode" meaning 'West electrode' would have remained correct with respect to
15210-501: The semiconductor crystal is missing a valence electron). This is the case in a p-type semiconductor. A semiconductor has electrical conductivity intermediate in magnitude between that of a conductor and an insulator . This means a conductivity roughly in the range of 10 to 10 siemens per centimeter (S⋅cm ). In the classic crystalline semiconductors, electrons can have energies only within certain bands (i.e. ranges of levels of energy). Energetically, these bands are located between
15340-503: The semiconductor from the valence band to the conduction band depends on the band gap between the bands. The size of this energy band gap serves as an arbitrary dividing line (roughly 4 eV ) between semiconductors and insulators . With covalent bonds, an electron moves by hopping to a neighboring bond. The Pauli exclusion principle requires that the electron be lifted into the higher anti-bonding state of that bond. For delocalized states, for example in one dimension – that
15470-419: The sodium ions move towards the negative electrode (cathode), while the chloride ions move towards the positive electrode (anode). Reactions take place at both electrode surfaces, neutralizing each ion. Water-ice and certain solid electrolytes called proton conductors contain positive hydrogen ions (" protons ") that are mobile. In these materials, electric currents are composed of moving protons, as opposed to
15600-423: The stress. μ = μ o + k ⋅ T ⋅ log ( γ ⋅ x ) + Ω ⋅ σ {\displaystyle \mu =\mu ^{o}+k\cdot T\cdot \log(\gamma \cdot x)+\Omega \cdot \sigma } In this equation, μ represents the chemical potential, with μ° being its reference value. T stands for
15730-443: The surface, thus increasing the apparent resistance. The mobile charged particles within a conductor move constantly in random directions, like the particles of a gas . (More accurately, a Fermi gas .) To create a net flow of charge, the particles must also move together with an average drift rate. Electrons are the charge carriers in most metals and they follow an erratic path, bouncing from atom to atom, but generally drifting in
15860-475: The system is a function of the translational, rotational, and vibrational coordinates of the reacting species and the molecules of the surrounding medium, collectively called the reaction coordinates. The abscissa the figure to the right represents these. From the classical electron transfer theory, the expression of the reaction rate constant (probability of reaction) can be calculated, if a non-adiabatic process and parabolic potential energy are assumed, by finding
15990-418: The table below. The surface topology of the electrode plays an important role in determining the efficiency of an electrode. The efficiency of the electrode can be reduced due to contact resistance . To create an efficient electrode it is therefore important to design it such that it minimizes the contact resistance. The production of electrodes for Li-ion batteries is done in various steps as follows: For
16120-465: The temperature and k the Boltzmann constant . The term γ inside the logarithm is the activity and x is the ratio of the ion to the total composition of the electrode. The novel term Ω is the partial molar volume of the ion in the host and σ corresponds to the mean stress felt by the system. The result of this equation is that diffusion, which is dependent on chemical potential, gets impacted by
16250-436: The topology of the electrode. The properties required depend on the application and therefore there are many kinds of electrodes in circulation. The defining property for a material to be used as an electrode is that it be conductive . Any conducting material such as metals, semiconductors , graphite or conductive polymers can therefore be used as an electrode. Often electrodes consist of a combination of materials, each with
16380-404: The unchanged direction of the actual phenomenon underlying the current, then unknown but, he thought, unambiguously defined by the magnetic reference. In retrospect the name change was unfortunate, not only because the Greek roots alone do not reveal the cathode's function any more, but more importantly because, as we now know, the Earth's magnetic field direction on which the "cathode" term is based
16510-405: The vacuum to become conductive by injecting free electrons or ions through either field electron emission or thermionic emission . Thermionic emission occurs when the thermal energy exceeds the metal's work function , while field electron emission occurs when the electric field at the surface of the metal is high enough to cause tunneling , which results in the ejection of free electrons from
16640-430: The zinc–copper electrode combination. Since then, many more batteries have been developed using various materials. The basis of all these is still using two electrodes, anodes and cathodes . 'Anode' was coined by William Whewell at Michael Faraday 's request, derived from the Greek words ἄνο (ano), 'upwards' and ὁδός (hodós), 'a way'. The anode is the electrode through which the conventional current enters from
16770-458: Was devised by Alessandro Volta and was aptly named the Voltaic cell . This battery consisted of a stack of copper and zinc electrodes separated by brine -soaked paper disks. Due to fluctuation in the voltage provided by the voltaic cell, it was not very practical. The first practical battery was invented in 1839 and named the Daniell cell after John Frederic Daniell . It still made use of
16900-455: Was to make it immune to a possible later change in the direction convention for current , whose exact nature was not known at the time. The reference he used to this effect was the Earth's magnetic field direction, which at that time was believed to be invariant. He fundamentally defined his arbitrary orientation for the cell as being that in which the internal current would run parallel to and in
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