Lithium batteries are more popular today than ever before. You’ll find them in your cell phone, laptop computer, cordless power tools, and even electric vehicles. However, just because all of these electronics use lithium batteries doesn’t mean they use the same type of lithium batteries. We’ll take a closer look at the six main types of lithium batteries pros and cons, as well as the best applications for each.
The introduction of lithium batteries has been one of the most critical steps in the evolution of battery technology. Lithium batteries provide the opportunity to replace big bulky, leaky lead-acid batteries with compact Li-ion battery systems with significantly better capacity.The lithium-ion battery industry has dominated over traditional options, such as lead-acid batteries. In fact, lithium battery technology is so popular that many different types of lithium batteries are available on the market for all applications and needs.
Types of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Not every lithium-ion battery is made in the same way and they come in different sizes and shapes. Below, we introduce you to the most common varieties of lithium-ion batteries and provide you with an insight into the applications they’re best suited to.
Lithium Cobalt Oxide
Manufactured from lithium carbonate and cobalt, these batteries are most commonly used in mobile phones, laptops, and other electronics. They are characterised by high specific energy, but they’re not the best when it comes to the life of the battery.
Lithium Manganese Oxide
Sometimes referred to as lithium-ion manganese batteries, lithium manganese oxide batteries were first utilised in the 1980s, following the publication of the materials used in a 1983 edition of the Materials Research Bulletin. They are known to be stable at high temperatures and are safer than other types of lithium-ion battery. Lithium manganese oxide batteries are often used to power medical equipment, electric motorcycles, laptop computers, and electric vehicles.
Lithium Iron Phosphate
Lithium iron phosphate batteries have low resistance qualities, which increases their safety and stability as a power source. They are also extremely durable and boast a longer life than other types of lithium-ion batteries, making them a cost-effective option for many. You will typically find them used in electric vehicles and bikes, as well as other applications that require a long lifecycle.
Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC)
Regularly known as NMC batteries, Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide batteries have a high specific energy density or a high specific power. They are made of 60% nickel, 20% manganese, and 20% cobalt, which means the cost of the materials is lower than other lithium-ion technologies. Again, this type of battery is commonly found in electric vehicles.Our recommendation:36v 100ah lithium ion battery
Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (NCA)
Although they’re not widely used in consumer products, NCA batteries are becoming increasingly popular in electric vehicles and grid storage solutions. They are a high-energy option with a good lifespan, but they’re not as safe as other battery types, which means they have to be accompanied by monitoring systems. It’s likely that the demand for NCA batteries will increase in conjunction with the global demand for electric vehicles.
Lithium Titanate
Comprising superior nanotechnology, lithium titanate batteries boast a rapid recharge time and they’re a popular option in a variety of applications. For instance, they’re useful in electric vehicles and bicycles, and it is being earmarked as the ideal solution for electric buses and other means of electric public transport. They’re equally as useful for military and aerospace applications, and can efficiently store wind and solar energy.
Do All Types of Batteries Use Lithium?
No, not all batteries use lithium. Lithium batteries are relatively new and are becoming increasingly popular in replacing existing battery technologies.
One of the long-time standards in batteries, especially in motor vehicles, is lead-acid deep-cycle batteries. Lithium has quickly gained ground in this market in recent years, but lead-acid is still the primary choice in gas-powered motor vehicles due to the low upfront cost.
Additionally, the most common types of off-the-shelf batteries found in stores are alkaline batteries. Most of the AA and AAA batteries in use today are alkaline batteries that use zinc and manganese dioxide for the chemical reaction to store energy.
Before rechargeable lithium batteries gained popularity, most rechargeable batteries were nickel-cadmium (NiCad). NiCad batteries use nickel oxide hydroxide and metallic cadmium as electrode materials. While not entirely obsolete yet, NiCad batteries are becoming less popular as lithium batteries take over the rechargeable battery market.
Cell Form Classification of Lithium Ion Batteries
Besides the classification based on electrode materials, there is another way to classify lithium-ion battery systems. There are three types of lithium-ion batteries based on this classification:
Cylindrical Cells
These are the most widely used commercial lithium-ion cells. They form the batteries used in toys, medical devices, gadgets, and more. Cylindrical lithium-ion battery cells differ from conventional batteries, as the former are rechargeable lithium batteries with a higher capacity.
This type of cell features sealed electrodes and electrolytes in a protective cylindrical metal can. A cylindrical lithium-ion battery offers excellent safety and the best protection against thermal elements. Cylindrical Li-ion batteries are also the cheapest ones to manufacture.
Pouch Cells
Unlike a cylindrical or prismatic cell, a lithium pouch cell is physically flexible. The battery cell is sealed in flexible foil or plastic film for protection. A lithium pouch cell is very lightweight and can be made into batteries of any shape or size. These batteries are used in drones, RC vehicles, jump starters, etc.
Pouch cells tend to swell when used. Therefore, when integrating these cells into any application, it is important to allocate extra space to account for the swelling of the cell.
Prismatic Cell
Prismatic cells are cubic lithium batteries that contain electrode sheets and separators in a sturdy plastic housing. Prismatic cells are made in a single-row or two-row module of four cells, with arrestors having the same polarity. Prismatic cells are more expensive batteries than cylindrical cells but provide much greater storage.
Lithium batteries in cell phones and laptops are all prismatic energy cell batteries. While lightweight and thin, these batteries are prone to heating due to the metal casing used.
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