Comparing polymer (LiPo) and lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries involves evaluating performance, cost, lifespan, and safety123. Contact online >>
Comparing polymer (LiPo) and lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries involves evaluating performance, cost, lifespan, and safety123.
Li-ion batteries are cost-effective with higher energy density, suitable for many devices, while LiPo batteries offer design flexibility and enhanced safety, ideal for compact devices1234.
All lithium batteries include a barrier to separate the anode and cathode while also enabling the movement of ions between the electrodes. In a LiPo, the polymer separator also contains the electrolyte. In addition, polymer separators can provide an additional function acting as "shutdown separators" that can shut down the battery if it becomes too hot during charging or discharging. Shutdown separators are multilayer structures with at least one polyethylene layer which can stop current flow when the temperature rises too high and at least one polypropylene layer which acts as a form of mechanical support for the separator.
The intercalation and decalation of lithium ions from a positive electrode and a negative electrode. Except for the polymer separator, LiPos operate on the same principle as Li-ions. However, they are packaged in quite different ways.
Li-ions are usually delivered in a stainless steel or aluminum case. The case is most often cylindrical but can be button-shaped or rectangular (prismatic). The case is relatively costly to produce and tends to restrict the sizes and shapes that are available. But it is also robust, helping to protect the battery from damage. The case is sealed using a laser welding process.
LiPos are packaged in an aluminum foil "pouch" and are called soft or pouch cells. The pouch is mostly prismatic and easier to fabricate, and lower in cost than the stainless steel or aluminum cases of Li-ions. This type of construction also enables the production of batteries with a variety of custom configurations. The other components in LiPos include wafer-thin layers (< 100 μm) that can be mass-produced at a relatively low cost. Substituting the foil pouch for the metal can result in high energy density and lightweight batteries. Both large formats and heights of less than 1 mm can be achieved, but the cells require careful mechanical handling.
The use of LiPos is subject to many of the same challenges that users of Li-ion must contend with, including overcharging, over-discharging, over-temperature operation, and internal shorts. In addition, crushing or nail penetration of the LiPo pouches can result in catastrophic failures ranging from pouch ruptures to electrolyte leaks and fires.
Like Li-ions, LiPos can expand at high levels of overcharge due to the vaporization of the electrolyte. Vaporization of the electrolyte can cause delamination, causing bad contacts between the internal layers of the cell, reducing reliability and cycle life. This expansion can be particularly noticeable for LiPos, which can literally inflate. It can also cause structural damage to the host system.
The table below compares the voltages and typical applications of the six basic lithium battery chemistries. Other characteristics of these batteries include:
Note that the NMC, LCO, and NCA batteries contain Cobalt that helps to provide higher power capabilities. They can provide large amounts of power in a small package but can be more susceptible to thermal events that can cause safety issues.
A polymer electrolyte results in several performance enhancements, including high energy density and lightweight batteries. Depending on the structure of the polymer layers, it can also enhance battery safety. Compared with conventional Li-ion batteries, LiPo batteries can be fabricated with a wider range of specific energy densities (Wh/kg) and specific power densities (W/kg), making LiPo batteries more flexible across a wider range of potential applications. As a result, LiPo technology is used across all the main lithium battery chemistries:
Aluminum-air and solid polymer batteries
Aluminum-air polymer batteries are under active development. These high energy density designs have a polymer separator directly contacted with the lithium anode to separate it from the cathode. As in other polymer batteries, the separator prevents the battery from short-circuiting and absorbs liquid electrolyte to support ion transport and complete the electrical circuit.
Unfortunately, the lithium anode can form dendrites during battery cycling. These dendrites can penetrate the polymer separator and shorten the battery. Modified separators are under development that includes graphene oxide layers. The graphene oxide protects the anode from contaminates and prevents chemical fluctuations on the surface of the lithium anode. The graphene oxide works together with the polymer layer to stop direct contact between the electrolyte and the lithium anode without significantly reducing ion conductivity. This combined structure slows electrolyte corrosion on the anode. It is hoped that in the future, the use of two types of layers to stabilize the lithium anode will result in very high energy density batteries with reasonable cycle lives.
Cells with truly solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) in place of today''s gelled membranes are also under development. Today''s LiPo cells are considered a ''hybrid'' system between a conventional Li-ion and a completely solid-state Li-ion battery. Gelled membranes are hybrid systems where the liquid phases are contained within the polymer matrix. While they may feel dry to the touch, they can contain up to 50% liquid solvents. Today''s systems are also called hybrid polymer electrolyte (HPE) systems that combine the polymer material, the liquid solvent, and salt. SPEs are under development that are completely solvent-free systems in a polymer medium.
The new solid-state structure can also use low-cost and high specific energy conversion type cathodes that are not compatible with liquid-based battery chemistries such as lithium-ion. One example is a proprietary sulfide solid electrolyte that supports high-content silicon and lithium metal in the anode paired with industry-standard and commercially mature cathodes, including lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides (NMC). The new cathodes can be combined with lithium metal to remove cobalt and nickel and could decrease cathode active material costs by 90%.
Solid-state cells have been produced, delivering 2Ah using industry-standard lithium-ion equipment and processes. Commercial production of a 20Ah high-content silicon anode cell is expected by the end of 2021, with 100Ah expected to follow in 2022.
LiPos offers several performance enhancements compared with Li-ions, including higher energy density and lighter-weight batteries. In addition, LiPos can be produced in a wider variety of shapes and sizes. However, today''s LiPos use gelled membranes, not fully solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs). SPEs are under development and could extend the performance advantages of LiPos in certain applications. Aluminum-air polymer batteries offer the potential for very high energy densities (resulting in longer ranges for EVs) and good cycle lives. Completely solid-state large format lithium batteries are on the horizon for later in 2021.
Current Li-Ion Battery Technologies in Electric Vehicles and Opportunities for Advancements, MDPIDifferent types of Lithium Polymer batteries, GrepowIntroduction to Lithium Polymer Battery Technology, JauchLithium polymer battery, WikipediaManufacturing Lithium-ion Batteries, TechSci ResearchTypes of Lithium-ion, Battery University
Thank you very much for the information.Lithium batteries are complicated to understand. Adding to it the fact thatthe technology is constantly developed making it even harder.Articles like this assist to understand the batteries and expand the knowledge.
A lithium anode in an aluminum-air cell?
What the deferent between lithium-ion and ternary lithium
Not sure if you answered my question or not. Question? Can you mix with li ion and lipo batteries in say a power wall for solar storage?
Thanks for reaching out, Percy. The best place to get your question answered is by your engineering peers on one of our online technical engineering forums, or,Aimee KalnoskasEditor
Do you know if the shipping requirements are the same as li-ion batteries?
This is an excellent article. Great for someone wanting to learn some basics about the batteries they use. I am an R/C aviation enthusiast and use LiIon and LiPo batteries to power radio systems and related electronics systems in the hobby.
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