why do rechargeable batteries go bad over time and lose their ability to hold a charge?
In: 6
Batteries are chemical things, they rely on specific reactions happening, and not only happening, but in specific spots. That is the reaction only happens where the electrolyte contacts it, but that spot needs to be the right spot. For example, an electrode might me a mesh of carbon coated in the battery material. When it reacts it contracts or expands. The layers must always be thin enough to let the electrolyte through the mesh, and if it gets too thick it might hit the other side and crack the electrode. Both of those would reduce capacity.
In the long term, it’s never perfect. Impurities mean the wrong reactions happen and they can’t be undone (basically removing theoe chemicals from the battery). Also, since ions are moving around, eventually then end up in the wrong spot and cause physical damage.
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