What is a lithium battery?

A lithium battery is a type of battery that uses lithium metal or lithium alloy as the anode material, usually with a non-aqueous electrolyte solution.

What is an alkaline battery?

Alkaline batteries are batteries that use a chemical reaction between zinc and manganese dioxide to produce electrical energy; the electrolyte is usually a potassium hydroxide solution.

What are the differences between lithium and alkaline batteries?

Chemistry of Lithium Batteries vs Alkaline Batteries

Lithium batteries usually mean lithium-ion batteries, in which the lithium ions are charge carriers. The lithium-ion battery usually includes cathode material composition, such as lithium cobaltate, lithium manganate, lithium iron phosphate, and so on, anode material composition such as graphite, silicon, and so on, electrolyte, and diaphragm.

Alkaline batteries, also called alkaline dry batteries, have manganese dioxide as the general positive electrode material, zinc powder as the negative electrode material, and potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution as the electrolyte.

Chemistry allows lithium batteries to provide higher specific energy, energy density, efficiency, and longer cycle and calendar life:

Lithium-ion battery chemistry: lithium-ion batteries use lithium-based compounds for the cathode and graphite-based materials for the anode.

Higher Energy Density: Lithium-ion batteries are superior in specific energy and energy density in comparison with other rechargeable batteries.

Longer Cycle and Calendar Life: Lithium-ion batteries boast longer cycle life and long calendar life. Therefore, they have gradually become very reliable and long-lasting power solutions.

Cost Comparison of Lithium Batteries vs. Alkaline Batteries

What are the characteristics of lithium batteries？

Higher up-front cost: On purchase, lithium batteries are nearly always more expensive than alkaline batteries.

Long-term savings: Whereas lithium batteries may have a higher cost on purchase, they could save money over the long term because they generally will last longer and be more durable.

Ideal for Special Applications: With high marks in these factors, lithium batteries find their places in cameras, medical devices, and other power-hungry electronic equipment that often require high levels of these factors.

What are the characteristics of alkaline batteries？

Inexpensive: Alkaline batteries are everywhere in the market and therefore are rather inexpensive to buy - it is therefore affordable.

LETTERModerate life: These batteries have moderate life and can be used with everyday devices like remote controls, clocks, and toys.

Consider: Even with all the cost advantages over alkaline batteries, their shortened life may make them more frequently changed.

Energy Efficiency of Lithium Batteries vs. Alkaline Batteries

Energy Density:

Lithium batteries possess high energy density, which simply means they store more power within less volume or lower weights. Alkaline batteries have low energy density compared to that.

Energy Storage Efficiency:

The energy storage efficiency of lithium batteries can easily be over 90% with very few losses. In practical applications, it is also possible to have more than 90% conversion efficiency with lithium batteries, but this is related to the conditions at charge and discharge too.

Rechargeability:

While alkaline batteries are usually disposable, lithium batteries are rechargeable. Rechargeability enables lithium batteries to become more economically and ecologically viable for use in the long term.

Environmental Impact:

Lithium batteries hold more capabilities of recycling and have lesser environmental impacts. Alkaline batteries have poor recycling capability and higher environmental impacts.

Thermal Stability:

Compared to the alkaline battery, the lithium battery has better thermal stability, is insensitive to a large extent to the temperature extremes, and can put up a steady performance within a wide temperature range.

Temperature Adaptability:

Lithium batteries are more adaptive in the point of temperature; hence, they have a wider operating temperature range, and their performance can be maintained for a wider temperature range.

Charging Technology:

Li-ion batteries have higher charging efficiency, which can get more power within a much shorter time and provide users with higher charging efficiency.

Coulomb Efficiency:

Coulomb efficiency is defined as the reversibility of lithium ions during charging and discharging. Most lithium batteries show high Coulomb efficiency, proving they face less capacity degradation throughout charge/discharge cycles.

Shelf life and maintenance of lithium and alkaline batteries

Shelf life:

Most lithium batteries have a much longer shelf life, upwards of 12 years. Some lithium batteries can keep their charge and last up to 20 years if stored properly.

The common alkaline batteries have a typical life span of 5-10 years. Nanfu Poly Ring Generation 2 alkaline batteries can boast a shelf life of up to 10 years.

Maintenance:

The maintenance of lithium batteries includes not being completely discharged and not overcharged, proper temperatures, charging and discharging regularly, using the correct charger, and when stored for a period of time, partial charging to 30% to 50%. It is worth noting that in case long-term storage of lithium batteries is being contemplated, these should always be kept at a 40-50% state of charge and stored in a cool, dry location.

Alkaline batteries are relatively low-maintenance, though it's advisable to store all types of batteries in cool and dry places, and avoid storing them in equipment that is not in use, since such equipment often draws power, even when turned off. All batteries should be taken out of the equipment when not in use. Expired date: Check the expiration date before buying the batteries. Good quality alkaline batteries are worth investing in.

Storage conditions:

In this respect, lithium batteries should be stored in a controlled temperature and humidity environment, with periodic checks in the level of the battery.

Alkaline batteries are best stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures to avoid any loss of charge before use.

Applications of lithium and alkaline batteries

Where can I use lithium batteries?

• Electric vehicles and power tools: the battery of choice due to its high energy density, fast charging, long life and other characteristics.
• Mobile power: used to provide charging and power supply for electronic devices such as cell phones, tablet PCs, laptops, etc.
• Energy storage systems: to provide energy storage and energy dispatch in smart grid, renewable energy and other fields.
• Electronic products: including cell phones, laptops, etc., due to their lightweight, high energy density and long life.
• Specialty equipment: such as pacemakers, computers, calculators, watches, etc.
• Military equipment, aerospace: due to its high energy density and stability.

See Also: Why Lithium-Ion Batteries Are Suitable for Many Applications

Where can I use alkaline batteries?

• Everyday household devices: such as remote controls, wall clocks, smoke detectors and other low power consumption devices.
• Portable devices: for devices that do not require frequent battery replacement due to their ease of use and low cost.

What is the environmental impact of lithium versus alkaline batteries?

Environmental Impact of Lithium Batteries:

It contains toxic components such as lithium and cobalt, which can be harmful to the environment if not well disposed of.

Because they are produced from valuable metals, the rate at which lithium batteries are recyclable is highly favorable, but proper disposal should be done for avoiding contamination.

Although lithium batteries in some phases of production and disposal may pose a greater impact on the environment, this proper recycling and management of this may be reduced.

Environmental Impacts of Alkaline Batteries:

Alkaline batteries contain metals such as zinc, manganese, and mercury that can pollute the environment if not disposed of properly.

Alkaline batteries have low recyclability but they are also recyclable to reduce environmental impacts.

The dust and wastes emitted during the production of an alkaline battery must be disposed of through the application of certain environmental measures in a process of reducing the negative impacts it can have on the environment.

Should I choose lithium or alkaline batteries?

It's a decision to be made based on your needs: when it comes to lithium batteries being much better, alkaline could do the trick when your needs are for low costs, single-use, low-drain devices. On the other hand, lithium batteries are more recyclable and require proper disposal, while the recycling of alkaline batteries is not as good, although they also can be harmful for the environment if not disposed of properly. Due to their superior chemistry, the lithium batteries become the premier choice for devices with high drain that consume power at a faster rate. Alkaline batteries will serve for low and medium drain devices better, while lithium batteries will be more appropriate for those applications which require high performance and long life cycles.