The commonly used types of lithium batteries are lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, and lithium iron phosphate batteries. They differ in terms of electrolyte, battery size, and battery performance.

1. Lithium-ion battery: Lithium-ion batteries use liquid electrolyte, with the positive electrode material typically being an oxide. They offer high energy density and operating voltage, and are widely used in mobile devices, power tools, electric vehicles, and more.

• Advantages:
  • High energy density: Lithium-ion batteries provide high energy density, enabling longer usage times.
  • Long cycle life: Compared to other types of batteries, lithium-ion batteries have a longer cycle life, allowing for multiple charge and discharge cycles.
  • No memory effect: Lithium-ion batteries do not have a memory effect, allowing for charging and discharging at any time without needing to completely drain the battery.
• Disadvantages:
  • Expensive: The manufacturing cost of lithium-ion batteries is relatively high, resulting in higher prices.
  • Capacity degradation: The capacity of lithium-ion batteries gradually decreases over time with usage.
  • Safety risks: Improper use or handling of lithium-ion batteries can lead to overheating, leakage, or even explosions.
  • Environmental impact: Lithium-ion batteries contain hazardous substances like nickel, cobalt, and lithium, which can pollute the environment.

2. Lithium polymer battery: Lithium polymer batteries use a polymer gel as the electrolyte, with the positive and negative electrode materials typically being oxides. They offer high energy density and smaller size, making them suitable for thin electronic products and mobile devices.

• Advantages:
  • Thinner and lighter: Lithium polymer batteries have a smaller size and lighter weight, catering to the demands of thin electronic products.
  • Higher safety: Compared to lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries are safer and less prone to fires or explosions.
• Disadvantages:
  • Lower energy density: Lithium polymer batteries have lower energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries, resulting in shorter battery life.
  • Higher cost: Manufacturing lithium polymer batteries is relatively expensive.

3. Lithium iron phosphate battery (LiFePO4 battery): Lithium iron phosphate batteries use lithium iron phosphate as the positive electrode material. They offer high safety and cycle life, and are widely used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and more.

• Advantages:
  • High safety: Lithium iron phosphate batteries have higher safety performance compared to lithium-ion batteries, with lower risk of fires or explosions.
  • Long cycle life: Lithium iron phosphate batteries have a long cycle life, allowing for more charge and discharge cycles.
  • High temperature tolerance: Lithium iron phosphate batteries have better performance in high temperatures compared to other types of lithium batteries.
• Disadvantages:
  • Relatively lower energy density: Lithium iron phosphate batteries have relatively lower energy density, resulting in larger and heavier batteries for the same capacity.
  • Higher cost: Manufacturing lithium iron phosphate batteries is relatively expensive.