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The laboratory experiments in nanotechnology are usually conducted with the help of the lithium ion batteries. Like all other simple batteries, the lithium ion batteries too consist of an electrolyte, flanked by a positive electrode and a negative electrode. However, only special materials can be used as these vital parts of lithium ion cells, for which care should be taken while buying the necessary substances.
 

Generally, the cathode of a lithium ion battery is made of the chemically active elements, like manganese, nickel, and cobalt. However, Vanadium oxide, lithium oxide, and olivine are also used as the battery materials, which comprise these batteries needed for experiments in nanotechnology. These oxides are considered as better than those pure elements, due to the high stability of these compounds in very high temperatures.
 
The anode of a lithium ion battery is usually made of the allotropes of carbon, among which the graphite is known to be the most preferred one. The anodes made of graphite hold better conductivity, more durability, and convenient lightweight.
 
Too thin sheets of copper and aluminum are used as the collector foils that act as connections within the lithium ion batteries. The high conductivity of the copper is the main reason of this choice; while the lightweight of the aluminum is its prime factor. However, aluminum is much cheaper than the copper and thus preferred by many scientists.
 

Many people have the impression that the battery substances needed for a lithium ion cell are quite expensive. So it is better to choose the cheaper materials, like aluminum and graphite for the electrodes of this battery. The costlier materials may be reused or recycled by the scientists, to save the expense of buying new materials for every experiment.

Hence, all these essential materials can be purchased online for making the batteries for all the experiments of nanotechnology.