system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Why do batteries take minutes/hours to recharge? What is in the way for them to recharge instantly?

When I plug in my phone, laptop, or other electronic device in to recharge, why does it take 30+ minutes? Shouldn't it be able to draw more power from the outlet and recharge instantly?
gpt
There is a chemical process behind battery charging. When charging your standard lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) cell phone battery lithium ions move from the graphite anode (where they form LiC6) through an electrolyte (a fluid or gel which allows lithium ions to pass through) to the cobalt oxide cathode. This electrolyte has a very low but very significant resistance to these ions. Try to force them through it too hard and there will be a lot of lithium in the electrolyte and not a lot on the electrodes. This causes chemical changes on the electrodes which makes it harder for the lithium to move back and forth in the future. Picture a crush of people leaving a stadium vs a calm and orderly exit.

There's also the issue of heat. Charging isn't 100% efficient so if you try to charge it instantly it will heat up and potentially catch fire or damage sensitive electronic bits of your phone.