rechargeable batteries > Lithium ion

Lithium ion are the most recent battery types in the market. They give high cell voltage and greater capacity for a given volume, and this is why they are especially suitable for hand held equipment where long operating times are important, such as mobile phones and Camcorders.

 

Like a primary lithium cell, the lithium- ion cell design is a wound electrode structure with positive and negative electrodes separated by a microporous seperator and immersed in a non-aqueous medium containing dissolved salts, which is the electrolyte. The positive electrode consists of a metal oxide material that can absorb and desorb lithium ions and electrons. However, the negative electrode consists of a sheet of carbon that can also absorb and desorb active lithium, replacing the lithium metal negative of primary lithium system. This improvement is what allows lithium-ion to be a rechargeable system with a long cycle life.

 

Advantages

Disadvantages

Excellent storage life.	High initial cost.
Longest service life of all consumer rechargeables.	Rate capability somewhat less than that of nickel-cadmium rechargeable system.
High energy content and long cycle life leads to low overall energy cost.
Good high-power performance.
Excellent low temperature performance.
Excellent leakage protection.

*Not Sold in Australia