Lith Corporation, founded in 1998 by a group of material science doctor from Tsinghua University, has now become the leading manufacturer of battery lab&production equipment. Lith Corporation have production factories in shenzhen and xiamen of China.This allows for the possibility of providing high quality and low-cost precision machines for lab&production equipment,including: roller press, film coater,mixer, high-temperature furnace, glove box,and complete set of equipment for research of rechargeable battery materials. Simple to operate, low cost and commitment to our customers is our priority. 

Button Cell Fabrication: A Detailed Guide

Button cells, also known as coin cells, are small, flat batteries commonly used in 

portable electronic devices and research applications. Their compact size, high energy 

density, and ease of fabrication make them ideal for powering watches, calculators, 

medical implants, and IoT devices. Below is a comprehensive guide to button cell 

fabrication, including the materials, processes, and equipment involved.

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●What Are Button Cells?

Button cells (or coin cells) are small cylindrical batteries with a flat, circular shape 

resembling a coin. They typically consist of two electrodes (anode and cathode), an 

electrolyte, a separator, and a metal casing. Common chemistries include lithium-ion (Li-

ion), lithium manganese dioxide (Li-MnO₂), silver oxide (AgO), and alkaline.



●Components of a Button Cell

To fabricate a button cell, the following components are required:

1. Anode: The negative electrode, often made of lithium metal or graphite in rechargeable 

systems.
2. Cathode: The positive electrode, composed of materials like lithium cobalt oxide 

(LiCoO₂), lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄), or other active materials.
3. Electrolyte: A medium that facilitates ion transport between the anode and cathode. 

Common electrolytes include lithium salts dissolved in organic solvents.
4. Separator: A porous material that prevents direct contact between the anode and cathode 

while allowing ion flow.
5. Metal Casing: The outer casing, usually stainless steel or nickel-plated steel, which 

houses the cell components.
6. Gasket: A rubber or polymer ring that provides a seal to prevent leakage.
7. Current Collectors: Thin metal foils (e.g., aluminum for the cathode and copper for the 

anode) that collect and transfer electrons.



●Steps in Button Cell Fabrication

1. Preparation of Electrode Slurry
   - Mixing Active Materials: Combine the active material (e.g., LiCoO₂ for the cathode or 

graphite for the anode), conductive additives (e.g., carbon black), and binder (e.g., 

polyvinylidene fluoride [PVDF]) in a solvent (e.g., N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone [NMP]).
     Homogenization: Use a planetary mixer or ultrasonic homogenizer to ensure uniform 

mixing of the slurry.

2. Coating and Drying
     Coating: Apply the slurry onto current collector foils (aluminum for the cathode, 

copper for the anode) using techniques like doctor blade coating or slot die coating.
     Drying: Remove the solvent by drying the coated foils in a vacuum oven at elevated 

temperatures (e.g., 80–120°C).

3. Cutting and Pressing Electrodes
     Cutting: Punch out circular electrode discs from the dried sheets using a die cutter.
     Pressing: Compact the electrode discs to improve density and electrical conductivity.

4. Assembly of Button Cells
     Cell Housing Preparation: Place the gasket into the bottom case of the button cell 

housing.
     Cathode Placement: Insert the cathode disc into the bottom case, by the 

separator.
     Electrolyte Addition: Add a predetermined amount of electrolyte solution to wet the 

separator and electrodes.
     Anode Placement: Place the anode disc on top of the separator.
     Sealing: Assemble the top case and crimp it securely to form a hermetic seal.

5. Formation and Testing
     Formation Cycle: Subject the assembled button cell to a formation cycle to activate 

the battery and form a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on the anode.
     Performance Testing: Evaluate the cell's capacity, voltage profile, cycling 

stability, and other key parameters using electrochemical testing equipment.

 

●Types of Button Cells

Button cells are classified based on their size and chemistry:

1. CR2032: Lithium manganese dioxide (Li-MnO₂) chemistry, widely used in consumer 

electronics.
2. LR2032: Alkaline chemistry, suitable for low-drain applications.
3. BR2032: Lithium-based chemistry with high energy density.
4. LIR2032: Rechargeable lithium-ion chemistry, often used in research and development.

Coin Cell Crimper

●Equipment Used in Button Cell Fabrication

1. Mixer: For preparing electrode slurries.
2. Coater: For applying slurries onto current collector foils.
3. Drying Oven: For removing solvents from coated electrodes.
4. Die Cutter: For cutting electrode discs.
5. Press: For compacting electrode discs.
6. Coin Cell Crimper: For assembling and sealing button cells.
7. Glovebox: For handling sensitive materials in a controlled atmosphere (e.g., inert gas 

environment).
8. Electrochemical Workstation: For testing the performance of fabricated cells.

 

●Applications of Button Cells

1. Research and Development:
     Button cells are extensively used in laboratories to test new electrode materials, 

electrolytes, and separators for next-generation batteries.
2. Consumer Electronics:
     Power small devices like watches, calculators, remote controls, and medical implants.
3. Medical Devices:
     Provide long-lasting power for pacemakers, hearing aids, and other wearable health 

monitors.
4. IoT and Smart Devices:
     Supply energy for low-power sensors and wireless communication modules in IoT 

applications.

 

●Advantages of Button Cells

1. Compact Size: Ideal for space-constrained applications.
2. High Energy Density: Offer significant energy storage in a small form factor.
3. Ease of Fabrication: Relatively simple assembly process makes them suitable for 

prototyping.
4. Cost-Effective: Lower production costs compared to larger battery formats.

 

●Challenges in Button Cell Fabrication

1. Leakage Risk: Improper sealing can lead to electrolyte leakage, compromising 

performance and safety.
2. Material Handling: Sensitive materials (e.g., lithium metal) require controlled 

environments to prevent degradation.
3. Uniformity: Ensuring consistent thickness and composition of electrode layers is 

critical for reliable performance.
4. Scalability: While button cells are excellent for prototyping, scaling up to larger 

formats requires additional engineering efforts.

 
●Safety Considerations

1. Handling Lithium Metal: Lithium is highly reactive and must be handled in a dry, 

oxygen-free environment.
2. Electrolyte Exposure: Avoid skin and eye contact with electrolyte solutions, as they 

may be toxic or corrosive.
3. Proper Disposal: Dispose of waste materials, such as used electrodes and electrolytes, 

according to environmental regulations.

 

●Future Trends in Button Cell Fabrication

1. Solid-State Electrolytes:
     Develop button cells with solid-state electrolytes to enhance safety and energy 

density.
2. Advanced Materials:
     Incorporate novel materials like silicon anodes, sulfur cathodes, or perovskites for 

improved performance.
3. Automation:
     Automate the fabrication process to increase throughput and reduce costs.
4. Sustainability:
     Focus on environmentally friendly materials and recycling processes to minimize 

ecological impact.

 

●Conclusion

Button cell fabrication is a critical process in both research and industry, enabling the 

evaluation of new battery technologies and powering compact electronic devices. By 

understanding the components, fabrication steps, and challenges involved, researchers and 

engineers can optimize their designs for specific applications. As advancements in 

materials and fabrication techniques continue, button cells will remain an essential tool 

for driving innovation in energy storage technology.

What aspect of button cell fabrication do you find most intriguing? Share your thoughts 
below! Together, let’s explore how these miniature power sources are shaping the future 
of energy storage.