Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries have a lithium anode. They differ in terms of battery chemistry, but come in two basic types: primary and secondary. Primary lithium batteries are designed to be replaced when their energy supply is depleted. Because the production of energy depletes the active material, these battery products are disposable. Secondary lithium batteries are made of active materials that can be regenerated by charging. In other words, the chemical reaction that produces the electricity is reversible. When the energy drops below optimum efficiency, secondary lithium batteries must be recharged according to the supplier’s specifications. The method of recharging is a function of both battery chemistry and construction.  

Lithium primary batteries differ in terms of chemistry. Typically, however, the lithium is used with sulfur dioxide, thionyl chloride, manganese dioxide, carbon monofluoride, copper oxide, iodine, or silver vanadium oxide. Lithium sulfur dioxide batteries are used almost exclusively in military and aerospace applications. Lithium thionyl chloride batteries have a nominal cell voltage of 3.6 V, a very high energy density, and a good temperature range. Lithium manganese batteries are available as either cylindrical cells or button cells. Lithium carbon monofluoride cells are low weight, high energy density batteries for long-life applications. Lithium copper oxide batteries have largely been discontinued. Lithium iodine cells and lithium silver vanadium oxide batteries are used mainly in medical applications. Lithium anode reserve batteries are also available.

There are many types of lithium secondary batteries. Typically, the lithium is used with iron sulfide, manganese dioxide, manganese titanium, titanium disulfide, and vanadium. Lithium iron sulfide batteries are used in the development of electric vehicles (EVs). Lithium manganese dioxide batteries offer a good balance of performance and safety for consumer applications. Lithium manganese titanium batteries are used in rechargeable watches, and as backup power supplies for pagers and timers. The reaction in lithium titanium disulfide batteries occurs very rapidly and in a highly reversible manner at ambient temperatures. Lithium polymer secondary batteries are also available.

Lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion batteries) are used in notebook computers, wireless telephones, and many other digital devices. There are three basic types of lithium-ion rechargeable cells: lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel oxide, and lithium manganese oxide. The lithium cobalt oxide cathode battery is very light and has an energy density about three times higher than that of the conventional rechargeable batteries. The lithium nickel oxide positive electrode has a capacity almost 40% over currently mass-produced batteries. Many can withstand about 500 charge cycles. Lithium manganese oxide batteries are characterized by high energy density, high power density, good storage life and discharge performance. 

• Lithium Ion Batteries
  Lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries are sometimes called lithium-carbon batteries. They have a rechargeable cell whose negative active material is carbon, and to which lithium cations are intercalated or...
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• Power Management in Portable Applications: Charging Lithium-Ion/Lithium-Polymer Batteries
  Powering today's portable world poses many challenges for system designers. The use of batteries as a prime power source is on the rise. As a result, a burden has been placed on the system designer to...
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• Choosing Between Lithium Ion and Lithium Polymer Batteries
  Lithium ion batteries have been commercially available since the early 1990s, possessing the highest energy density of all rechargeable battery chemistries and finding their way into almost every...
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Part Numbers for Lithium Batteries