Skip to main content

How to Choose the Right Battery for Your Application: Alkaline vs. Ni-MH vs. Lithium-Ion Batteries

As battery technology continues to upgrade, you need to know which type of battery is best for your device/product. There are many different types of batteries used in a variety of applications. From lead-acid to lithium-ion polymer batteries, different types of batteries have different properties based on different chemistries. But how do you choose batteries for your appliances/products? To better understand batteries, let’s take a look at the three types of batteries: alkaline, NiMH, and lithium ion batteries respectively.


Alkaline battery: Alkaline batteries use potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide as the standard electrolyte solution. The anode is made of zinc powder; the cathode consists of manganese dioxide. Alkaline batteries are disposable primary cells.


Ni–MH (nickel metal hydride) battery: Ni-MH batteries are a type of rechargeable battery and an evolved version of Ñ ickel- Ç admium (nickel-cadmium) batteries use potassium hydroxide as the electrolyte. The positive electrode is made of nickel oxide hydroxide. The negative electrode is a hydrogen storage alloy/metal hydride.


Lithium-ion battery: An advanced battery technology developed over many years. Using lithium metal oxide for the positive electrode and lithium carbon compound for the negative electrode, lithium ion batteries usually use ether as the electrolyte.


After introducing these three types of batteries, we can look at their salient features and the differences between them.


Energy density: Energy in watt hours per kilogram (Wh/kg) per kilogram of battery. Lithium-ion batteries have a higher energy density in the range of 110 to 160 Wh/kg compared to alkaline and lithium-ion batteries. NiMH batteries have an energy density in the range of 60-120 Wh/kg and alkaline batteries have an energy density of 80 Wh/kg.


Monthly self-discharge: All batteries are subject to self-discharge. Among the three types of batteries, Li-ion batteries have the lowest self-discharge rate of about 10% a month.


Recycle: Cycle life is the number of complete charge/discharge cycles that a battery can support. Lithium-ion batteries have a cycle life of 500-1000 cycles, while reusable alkaline batteries have a cycle life of only 50 cycles. Similarly, NiMH batteries have cycle lives ranging from 300-500 cycles, about half that of Li-ion batteries.


Maintenance: Reusable alkaline and Li-ion batteries require no maintenance over their lifetime. Ni-MH requires maintenance every 60-90 days.


Cost: Of the three types of batteries, reusable alkaline batteries are the least expensive and lithium ion batteries are the most expensive. The cost depends on the chemistry used in the battery, with lithium-ion batteries having much higher component prices.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Solar Energy: A Really Simple Way To Save The Earth

Solar energy is a form of clean, renewable energy that allows electric power to be produced without consuming any fossil fuels. Solar panels are an efficient way to harness this potentially limitless source of power, but how do you know they're actually worth the investment? In this article, we'll take a look at just what the solar panel process involves, and the benefits you might gain! Why Solar Energy is important Solar energy is important because it is a really simple way to save the Earth. Fossil fuels like coal and oil are polluting the Earth’s atmosphere, making it harder for us to breathe and causing climate change. Solar energy is clean and renewable, so it can help save the Earth without damaging the environment. Everything you need to know about solar energy Solar energy comes from the sun's energy. When light hits a surface, some of it is reflected off while other parts are absorbed. The part that’s reflected off is called sunlight and the part that’s absorbed i...
1 comment
Read more

The Best Solar Power Batteries On The Market

One of the best ways to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels is to use solar power. You'll want to consider buying a battery system that is designed for solar power in order to store excess electricity and use it at night, during cloudy days, or when the sun isn't shining.   How solar power batteries work   Solar power batteries are a great way to store solar energy. They work by converting sunlight into electricity. This electricity can then be used to power things like lights or electronics. Solar power batteries can be used in a number of ways. They can be used to store energy when there is not enough sunlight. They can also be used to power devices when there is too much sunlight.   Best Solar Power Batteries   Looking for the best solar power batteries on the market? You ’ ve come to the right place! In this article, we will discuss some of the top solar power batteries on the market today. So, whether you are looking for a backup battery or an investment, read ...
1 comment
Read more

Science Shows Solar Power Battery Is Possible-You Can Never Have Too Much Energy

  Energy storage is complicated and expensive. However, researchers have now developed a new type of battery that may change everything for solar power systems. What is a solar power battery? A solar power battery is a device that stores energy from the sun to be used at a later time. This can be used for things such as powering electronic devices, lighting, or even powering a car. Solar power batteries are becoming more and more popular because they are reliable and can store lots of energy. What is the solar power system composed of? Solar power comes from the sun. There are many different ways to collect this energy, from large arrays of panels on roofs to tiny solar cells embedded in materials like sunglasses and cell phone cases. How does a solar power system work? Solar cells convert light into electricity by using the sun’s energy. This electricity is then sent to an electric grid, where it can be used to power things like homes and businesses. Solar power systems vary in si...
1 comment
Read more