What makes lithium in particular so special though?

It is the lightest metalic component, which permits it, on paper, to offer high explicit limit (Ah/kg). It additionally has high electro-energy (will offer electrons), which gives is a low redox potential (not the most reduced, however low) of - 3.04V versus SHE.

This influences the voltage at the anode. The contrast among anode and cathode voltage offer the cell voltage. Blending moderately low lithium with generally high possibilities on the cathode side, for cobalt (Co4+/Co3+, 1.42V versus SHE), yields a high cell voltage. By and by something somewhere in the range of 3.6 and 3.85V, contingent upon: inward sythesis, pace of charge, condition of charge, cell temperature, cell age.

Increasing potential by explicit limit yields explicit vitality, Wh/kg. Until this point in time, among marketed sciences, lithium offers the best Wh/kg.

Another advantage lithium offers is mono-valence, for example it just loses one valence electron. This permits lithium to move about with lower obstruction than state magnesium (Mg2+) or aluminum (Al3+). The issue of obstruction because of valence is a basic obstacle to commercialization of magnesium or aluminum particle cells.