Lithium-Ion Batteries vs. Lithium-Polymer: Which One’s Better?

There are different batteries used in electronic devices and circuits, each comes with its own features and parameters. Lithium battery comes in different types based on cathode material like lithium polymer battery vs lithium ion. Here we will cover the features of these two batteries and find different parameters. So let’s get started with Lithium-Ion Batteries vs. Lithium-Polymer

What is a lithium-ion battery?

The lithium-ion battery is the latest and most used battery for high-technology devices. It has recharging features and comes with a high-density value.

It does not have a memory effect and comes with a low self-discharge rate. Cells of lithium-ion batteries come with lithium ions and are used for different types of batteries.

Ions are motile and embedding and de-embedding back and forth between two electrodes at the time of the charging and discharging process.

For charging li ions are deintercalated at the cathode and move to the anode through an electrolyte and the anode is in lithium-rich condition.

The reverse process occurs for discharging. The cathode is created with the use of a lithium compound and the anode is a carbon layer compound, that can graphite.

Lithium batteries are used in electric devices and vehicles. They are also part of the military and aerospace industries

What Are Lithium-Polymer (Li-Po) Batteries?

Lithium polymer battery is a new technology thatn conventional lithium-ion batteries and is best to use for replacement of lithium-ion batteries.

The main feature is their fast charging and this battery at the start used for clunky phones and also in laptops.

The latest devices such as drones, also come with lithium polymer batteries.

it is a lightweight stand flexible structure used for power banks.

Like the lithium-ion battery, these batteries come with an anode and cathode. These batteries come with gel-like electrolytes rather than liquid electrolytes.

Lithium-ion batteries Advantages

High energy density

The energy density of these batteries is high as compared to other batteries which is its best feature. So it is used for 3C products, energy storage devices, etc. These applications use small sizes with a larger capacity of battery. So lithium-ion battery comes with high energy density.

Low self-discharge rate

Lithium ion battery comes with a lower discharge rate as compared to other rechargeable batteries that is about 3.5 percent per month. If a lithium battery stored in not used condition, there is no reaction occurs in it and it is stable. It helps to make it better than other rechargeable batteries.

Less maintenance

Lithium batteries need less or no maintenance do not need acid and do not have a chance of bulging of not accuralty charged. Their maintenance-free features make them easy to use. So they are less costly than other batteries

Diverse Features

There are different features for these batteries based on this specification used for different projects

No charging effect

These batteries also do not have a memory effect and anytime can charged. The best condition is shallow discharge and shallow charge in 20 to 80 percent which is best to enhance battery working life.

Disadvantages.

protection

These batteries have good performance but due to improper handling, they can overcharged which causes thermal runaway and casues safety issues. Thermal runaway can be handled with the use of BMS, which is normally employed for thermal management and overheating protection.

High cost

lithium-ion battery is 40 percent more costly as compared to other batteries. That is a drawback.

Advantages of lithium-polymer battery?

High energy density

Lithium polymer battery comes with double the energy density of other batteries. it has the featues to offer high current to different devices.

No memory effect

It also does not have a memory effect and charging does not affect its capacity.

Good performance

The polymer lithium battery comes with aluminum plastic flexible packaging, which is different from the metallic shell of the liquid battery. So use of polymer materials battery not get fired or explode, and the battery comes with enough safety measures.

No maintenance

It also does not need maintenance like other batteries. It comes with small inner resistance cells that are smaller in size thatn a normal liquid battery, which reduces the self-discharge rate of the battery. Polymer lithium batteries support larger discharge currents best for remote control models and are used as a replacement for NiMH batteries.

discharge Features

This battery uses gel electrolytes that come with smoother discharge featues and higher discharge than liquid electrolytes.

 flexible

it comes in different sizes and designs.

Disadvantage

Overheating

it easily overheats and is destroyed with high voltage

Fragile Structure

It is fragile and needs a circuit for protection to enhance safe working. Overcharging will affect the reversibility of chemical material in the battery, which affects its working

Safety Features required

It also needs some safety featues to reduce inner resistance and voltage.

Differences Between Li-Ion and Li-Po Batteries

Cost

Lithium ions are low-cost batteries and they can easily be manufactured. Lithium polymer battery is high cost.

 Power Density

Power density is the amount of energy a battery has concerning weight. So batteries having high power density work longer. The lithium-ion battery has features to store charges four times more than lithium-polymer batteries of the same size. it makes them used for compact electronic devices.

While lithium polymer batteries need to be covered in a hard or soft shell cover.

 Safety

Lithium polymer battery is safer thatn lithium ion, due to its robust packing structure. The hard shell Li-Po battery has pressure resistance. So fast charging batteries come with lithium polymer batteries. Electrolyte gel in a Li-Po battery is less likely to leak as compared to Li-Ion electrolyte.

Passive Discharge Rate

Li-po operated battery will discharge slowly. the passive discharge rate of a Li-po battery is lower than a Li-ion battery. For longer term storage Li-Po battery is easier to use than a Li-Ion.

Working life

Lithium-ion batteries work longer thatn lithium-polymer batteries. The average lithium-ion battery works for 2 to 3 years and lithium polymer has less working life. Since gel-based electrolyte hardens in Li-Po batteries.

 Maintenance

Lithium-ion batteries needed no maintenance, but Li-po batteries needed some maintenance. Smartphone software helps to know the battery details. Such as calibrating phone batteries for known performance. Such as Lipo battery needs 30 percent charges for storing and a Larger lipo battery needs a special type of charger.

Portability

Both batteries are easy to port. But lithium-ion can easily carry and be used in smaller electronics

Li-Ion vs. Li-Po: Which Is Best?

For comparison lithium polymer battery vs lithium-ion, lithium-ion batteries come with high energy density do not have a memory effect also have lower cost thatn lithium polymer batteries.

However lithium-ion batteries are not stable and have a chance to explode in high temperatures and high pressure.

While lithium polymer battery is flexible and less weight. It comes with low leaking since has solid electrolytes and is dry. On the other hand lithium polymer is a high cost battery and has less energy density and less working life.

The use of new technology uses gel electrolytes solved the safety issue for lithium-ion batteries and enhanced performance

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