Advantages of Polymer Lithium Battery
Polymer lithium batteries are a type of Lithium ion battery that uses a solid polymer electrolyte. They have a few key advantages over other lithium batteries. They are ultra-thin and could assemble into the size of a credit card. They are also lightweight and don’t require a metal shell for packaging.
1. Low self-consumption
Whether it’s powering smart wearables or the latest remote control model, lithium polymer batteries are extremely versatile. They also have a lower self-consumption than other battery types, meaning they can hold their charge longer.
These batteries have gotten a bad rap after a few high-profile cases of them spontaneously catching on fire. While the chances of this happening are slim, it’s important to keep in mind that these batteries are prone to overheating and need to be stored properly to prevent this from occurring.
The reason behind this is due to the side reactions that occur between the positive and negative materials and electrolyte. The side reactions cause irreversible chemical changes in the battery that eventually eat away at the battery’s capacity.
Lithium polymer batteries differ from other battery systems in that they use a solid (dry) polymer electrolyte, which resembles a plastic-like polymer lithium battery film and allows ions to exchange. The dry polymer design offers simplifications in fabrication, ruggedness and safety while also allowing the elimination of traditional porous separators soaked with electrolyte. This leads to a higher discharge platform and a smaller cell size.
2. High energy density
Energy density is a measurement of how much electrical energy a battery can hold in proportion to its weight. It is commonly presented in watt-hours per kilogram.
Polymer lithium batteries are very high in energy density, and their thin film technology allows them to be slim enough to fit into sleek mobile phones and tablet PCs. They also offer a higher specific power than standard Li-ion cells and do not need the rigid case that is required to compress the electrodes together in a traditional cylindrical battery.
The original polymer design from the 1970s used a solid dry polymer electrolyte resembling plastic, instead of the liquid lithium-salt electrolytes that are common in modern Li-ion cells. This replaced the traditional porous separator that is soaked with electrolyte.
These battery systems are still available and are useful in applications that require an especially compact battery, such as some wearable devices. Although they have received a bad press over the past few years, due to high-profile instances of them spontaneously catching fire, these are extremely rare occurrences that are easily preventable.
3. Long cycle life
Lithium polymer batteries can have a very long charge cycle life, especially when they are properly used and stored. This is because they are not as prone to thermal runaway as standard lithium-ion batteries.
Thermal runaway occurs when a battery is overheated and starts to self-combust. It happens when the internal temperature rises, which triggers a reaction that creates lithium oxide. This then combusts and produces heat, which causes the battery to overheat even more. This can eventually lead to the battery bursting open and catching fire.
While this occurrence is rare, it does happen. This is why many manufacturers specify a maximum number of charge cycles. A battery that has reached this limit is considered useless, but it does not mean that it is unsafe to use.
The lifespan of a battery is affected by its handling, usage pattern, and the environment it is in. If you want to maximize the lifespan of your lithium-polymer battery, it is a good idea to avoid overcharging and over-discharging. It is also a good idea to favor a partial depth of discharge (DoD). This will reduce stress on the battery and prolong its life.
4. Good safety performance
Compared to liquid lithium batteries, polymer lithium battery has better safety performance. Lithium-ion polymer batteries use a solid-state electrolyte instead of a Wholesale lifepo4 battery liquid electrolyte, and their positive electrode materials are made from lithium cobalt oxide, nickel manganate or ternary metals and their negative electrode is made from graphite.
The polymer electrolyte is room-temperature, nonflammable and can suppress thermal runaway. Thermal runaway is a self-sustaining reaction that progressively accelerates and releases energy, producing more heat, eventually increasing the internal battery temperature to dangerous levels, which can cause fire, explosion or leakage.
Lithium-ion polymer battery safety is further improved by incorporating phosphorus functional groups into the polymer skeleton, which can react with the exothermic reaction at an early stage to suppress it, effectively mitigating the risk of thermal runaway.
The aluminum-plastic flexible packaging used by polymer lithium batteries also makes the battery thinner, allowing it to be fit into credit card-sized spaces, as well as being lighter and more compact than conventional liquid lithium batteries. This means they can be used in a wider range of electronic devices, including curved and irregularly-shaped products like smartwatches and wearable health trackers, which Nitecore uses in its products.
5. Customization
We design and make rechargeable custom lithium polymer battery packs according to your specific requirements. For example, the shape, cell brands, capacity, voltage, etc.
Lithium-ion batteries are found in a wide range of electronic products, from handheld devices to laptops and motorcars. They have a reputation for high energy-density, negligible self-discharge, and extended lifespan.
While lithium-polymer batteries are also based on lithium technology, they differ from lithium-ion cells in their construction. This difference allows them to be more compact, making them a great choice for handheld and portable devices.
Unlike lithium-ion batteries, which use liquid electrolyte, li-polymer batteries use a solid polymer as the separator between the anode and cathode. As a result, they have a lower chance of leaking, and can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can also be charged and discharged multiple times, increasing their lifespan. Lithium-polymer batteries also have a higher working voltage of 4.2V, making them ideal for consumer electronics and mobile phones. They can also be recharged in a shorter time than traditional lithium-ion batteries.
