Which Battery Is Better, Lithium Polymer Vs Lithium Ion?

Lithium polymer batteries and lithium-ion batteries are two battery types widely used in current electronic devices. They both have their own features, advantages and disadvantages, and are suitable for different application scenarios. The following is a detailed comparison of lithium polymer and lithium ion batteries.

First Introduction to lithium polymer batteries

Lithium Polymer Battery (LPB) is a kind of lithium ion battery based on polymer electrolyte. It adopts components such as positive and negative electrode materials, diaphragm and polymer electrolyte, and has the characteristics of flexible, light and thin, high energy density. Lithium polymer batteries were introduced in the early 1990s, and after decades of development, they have been widely used in portable electronic devices, drones, electric vehicles and other fields.

 

Second, lithium-ion battery introduction

Lithium-ion battery (Li-ion Battery) is a liquid electrolyte-based lithium-ion battery. It uses components such as positive and negative electrode materials, diaphragm and liquid electrolyte, and is characterised by high energy density, long life and low self-discharge rate. Lithium-ion batteries began commercial production in the early 1990s, and have become the mainstream batteries for portable electronic devices, power tools, electric vehicles and other fields.

 

Third, lithium polymer batteries and lithium-ion battery comparison

 1. structure and performance

(1): Flexible vs Rigid

Lithium polymer batteries use flexible polymer electrolyte, which can be made into films, fibres and other different forms, so as to achieve flexible, thin and light batteries. While lithium-ion batteries use liquid electrolyte, can only be made into a fixed shape of the battery, relatively rigid.

 

(2): Energy Density vs Capacity

The energy density of lithium polymer batteries is relatively low, but through the optimisation of materials and structure, higher capacity can be achieved. Lithium-ion batteries have higher energy density, but capacity is somewhat limited.

 

(3): Cycle life vs charge/discharge times

Li-polymer batteries have a relatively long cycle life, up to hundreds or even thousands of cycles. The cycle life of lithium-ion batteries is shorter, generally hundreds of times.

 

2.Safety performance

(1): Thermal stability

Lithium polymer batteries have better thermal stability and are less likely to overheat. Lithium-ion batteries are prone to thermal runaway during the charging and discharging process, resulting in increased battery temperature and even causing fire.

(2): Safety

Lithium polymer batteries use a flexible electrolyte, which is not easy to leak. The liquid electrolyte of lithium-ion batteries is easy to leak, and there are potential safety hazards.

 

3.Application fields

(1): Portable electronic equipment

Lithium polymer batteries are suitable for use in portable electronic devices, such as smart phones and tablet PCs, due to their thin, lightweight and flexible characteristics. Lithium-ion batteries are also widely used in portable electronic devices, but they are relatively poor in terms of thinness and lightness.

(2): Electric Vehicles

Lithium polymer batteries have greater potential in the field of electric vehicles, which can achieve modularity and integration of batteries and improve the space utilisation of vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries have been widely used in the field of electric vehicles, but with the development of technology, lithium polymer batteries may become the mainstream in the future.

(3): Other fields

Lithium-polymer batteries are also suitable for use in drones, wearable devices, medical devices, and other fields. Lithium-ion batteries are also widely used in power tools, energy storage devices and other fields.

 

IV. Conclusion

 

Lithium polymer batteries and lithium-ion batteries have their own advantages and disadvantages, and are suitable for different application scenarios. In the field of portable electronic devices, electric vehicles and other fields, lithium polymer batteries have a greater advantage; while in the field of power tools, energy storage equipment and other fields, lithium-ion batteries are still competitive. With the development of materials, structure and technology, the future performance of lithium-polymer batteries is expected to further enhance the mainstream of the battery field. Meanwhile, lithium-ion batteries are being optimised to meet the growing market demand. In different application scenarios, the right type of battery should be selected based on actual needs.