Lithium Battery Types

Lithium batteries are found in many of our personal electronic devices, including laptops, PDAs and cell phones. They also power cordless tools and plug-in hybrid and electric cars.

When a lithium battery is used, an oxidation reaction in the anode releases lithium ions into the electrolyte. The electrolyte carries the lithium ions through a separator to the cathode, generating an electrical current.

Button-cell or coin-cell batteries

Button-cell or coin-cell batteries are a type of primary lithium battery that is small in size. They are used in many electronics, such as digital watches, calculators, remote controls, key fobs and even electronic cigarettes. Their low self-discharge means that they can keep their charge for up to a year in storage. They also have a long lifespan and are very easy to use.

While the majority of these batteries are lithium, some of them are made of zinc-air chemistry and have a longer lifespan. They can be identified by a letter followed by four digits, such as CR2032 or CR123A. The first digit indicates the diameter and the last digit indicates the height of the battery.

Lithium coin-cell batteries are especially dangerous for young children because of their small size. If swallowed, they can block the esophagus and lead to severe injury or death within hours. This happens because the battery generates hydroxide in the saliva, which burns the tissue.

To prevent this from happening, make sure to store these batteries out of reach of small children. Also, check for child resistant packaging lithium battery and ensure that the compartments are secure. Some manufacturers also include a bitter coating on the batteries to discourage them from being swallowed. If you do notice that the batteries have a loose connection or their insulating material has been damaged, contact the manufacturer for a replacement.

Lithium-ion polymer batteries

Lithium-ion polymer batteries are used in laptops, PDAs, cell phones and iPods. Pound for pound, they are the most energetic rechargeable batteries available. Unfortunately, they also burst into flame occasionally. This isn’t common — just two or three battery packs per million have this problem — but it can be extremely dangerous.

The problem occurs when one of the battery’s electrodes shorts across a separator sheet. This makes the electrodes heat up very quickly, and if the battery gets punctured, it will become extremely hot. The best way to avoid this is to be careful when using a lithium battery. Only use these batteries with chargers and circuitry that are designed for lithium batteries and be sure to check polarity constantly.

Like lithium-ion cells, li-polymer batteries consist of two electrodes, a positive and negative, and a separator. The difference is that a solid polymer electrolyte replaces the traditional porous separator. This allows the electrodes to exchange ions without the need for a liquid electrolyte. This gives li-polymer batteries the advantage of thinner designs. They are lithium battery sometimes called pouch cells and have the same power density as standard lithium-ion batteries.

The positive electrode is made of lithium cobalt oxide and the negative electrode is carbon. During charging, electrons move from the lithium cobalt oxide to the carbon and back again, giving the battery its energy. The same process takes place during discharge. The carbon is made of hard, soft or even nanotube graphite. Sony’s original lithium-ion batteries used coke as the graphite, but most manufacturers now use hard or soft carbon.

Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries

Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are a staple in today’s portable electronic devices. They are used in power tools, cordless drills, and even mobile phones and tablets. These types of lithium batteries offer high energy density compared to their size, making them ideal for many applications.

To create these batteries, manufacturers use lithium iron phosphate (abbreviated as LFP) as the cathode material and graphitic carbon as the anode material. During charging and discharging, lithium ions are moved between the cathode and anode, which is accomplished via the battery’s electrolyte medium. The electrolyte is a non-aqueous solution, typically containing ethylene or propylene carbonate to prevent water from entering the cell.

The movement of these ions results in a relatively high voltage, around 3.7 volts per cell. This higher voltage is a key advantage of these batteries compared to nickel-based systems, as it allows for greater power density and reduced device size. The battery also does not require “exercising” to keep it healthy, as is the case with many other battery technologies (Nickel-Cadmium).

These batteries are a safety hazard if not properly engineered and manufactured since they have flammable electrolytes and can burn or explode if overheated or damaged. To ensure that this is not the case, battery designers and users must be aware of how these batteries operate and work together to avoid safety issues.

Lithium-ion non-rechargeable batteries

The lithium battery’s popularity is due to its high energy density and ability to recharge. It has become the dominant power source for hybrid and electric cars, but the technology is also making inroads into portable electronics, such as laptop computers and mobile phones.

Chemists started working on lithium batteries in 1912 and it took decades for them to be safe for consumer use. Nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal-hydride batteries preceded the lithium-ion battery, which debuted in 1991 and replaced older rechargeable options that were heavy and less efficient.

Lithium-ion batteries are very lightweight, durable and have an excellent cycle life. They also have very low internal cell resistance, which enables them to be charged at high currents and discharged at higher rates (see battery C ratings). They are available in cylindrical and prismatic form in both power cells and energy cells.

It is very important to follow manufacturer and EPA handling instructions for lithium-ion batteries and devices that contain them. Like any battery, they have enough energy to injure someone or start a fire when handled improperly. It is a good idea to tape battery terminals and place them in plastic bags to prevent shorting out or sparking. They should not go in household garbage or recycling bins and should be taken to separate collection points for hazardous waste and recycled.