Discussion: Graphene vs Lipo battery

Graphene Batteries

Graphene, which is a sheet made of carbon atoms that are bonded together in the form of a honeycomb lattice pattern. It is now considered a wonder material. That is due to the number of different aspects you can use this material in. It is a good conductor of temperature and electricity. It is very lightweight, flexible, and has a large surface area due to its honeycomb structure. Moreover, it is chemically inert, and an eco-friendly, sustainable material.

A graphene battery is a battery that is lightweight, durable, and very efficient when it comes to energy-storing. Using Graphene in batteries will increase battery life. In conventional batteries, increasing battery life is linked to the amount of Carbon inside, however, in graphene batteries since graphene is a good conductive material it does not require the addition of any more carbon, which makes these batteries more eco-friendly and greener.

lipo batteries

lithium polymer battery (lipo battery) is a form of batteries that is rechargeable. It is based on lithium-ion technology. It is manufactured using a polymer electrolyte instead of the conventional liquid electrolyte. The LiPo batteries provide higher specific energy than conventional lithium batteries. They are very lightweight, that is why they are used in products where weight is a crucial feature, such as mobile phones, or radio-controlled aircraft.

LiPo batteries follow the footsteps of its predecessors Lithium-ion and Lithium-metal cells. Since the 1980s, this field has undergone numerous researches. Until in the year 1991 when Sony released its first commercial cylindrical Li-ion cell. That was the starting point of the achievements that have been done in the field since.

Performance of graphene and lipo battery

Since graphene is a versatile molecule with a lot of unique characteristics, when it is used in a battery it enhances the performance tremendously. Graphene works in electrodes either as a support or a composite/hybrid. Graphene batteries come in many shapes and forms. Scientists discovering more advantages and use for graphene electrodes over the pure graphite electrodes that are conventionally used. However, until this moment there have not been pure graphene electrodes in a graphene battery, instead, the graphene-based electrodes are a hybrid between graphene and other materials that are formulated in a way similar to the way conventional batteries are. Graphene batteries are quickly becoming the market's favorite form of batteries. Their technology allows an increased electrode density, faster cycle times, and the ability to hold a charge for a much longer time than its competitors do, which in return improves the general life span of the battery.

LiPo batteries have a great performance, they are smaller, lighter and have a higher power capacity than the Li-ion batteries. They are considered a valuable upgrade to the Li-ion batteries. Most of the LiPo batteries are not designed to last for more than 300 charge cycles. Many manufacturers claim that their LiPo batteries can last up to two or even three years. This is somehow equivalent to approximately 300 charge cycles. LiPo batteries over time lose their ability to hold a charge, which unfortunately is an irreversible process. The LiPo battery will continue to deteriorate until it will not be able to hold any single charge anymore.

Swelling or puffing are signs that your LiPo battery is getting near its expiration point. Deteriorating the LiPo battery does not affect its ability to power the device but, its ability to hold the charge. That is why you would find a LiPo battery that has declined to about 80% of its original capacity and still powering up your device. However, the power time of the device will become shorter. It is worth mentioning that the continues usage of a LiPo battery when it reaches the point where it can not hold any more charge is dangerous, and could result in dangerous hassles.

Market of graphene and lipo battery

Graphene batteries market

Graphene-based batteries have great potential in the market nowadays. Despite not being fully commercially available yet, R&D scientists have very high hopes for it.

In 2014, a US-based company stated that they are going to use graphene batteries in a device called Vor-Power strap. It is a lightweight and flexible power source that can be attached to your bag strap. It acts as a mobile charging station. The company states that the product weighs 450 grams and provides a total capacity of 7200 mAh, which is tremendously huge for its size.

In 2016, the tech giant Huawei stated that they are on the verge of making a new graphene-enhanced Li-ion battery. They claim that battery can work in harsh working conditions, and can operate in higher temperatures than its predecessor.

In 2017, Samsung succeeded in developing a graphene ball, which they will use to make their batteries. These graphene balls will help them increase their battery capacity by 45%. Moreover, these graphene balls can maintain a temperature of 60 degrees which is required for usage in electric cars.

LiPo batteries market

LiPo batteries are lightweight and can be made in almost any shape and size. They have large capacities and can hold large charges in small packages. Moreover, they are good at marinating constant voltage as they discharge.

LiPo batteries are used on a very large scale. They are used in RC devices, including boats, drones, helicopters, cars, and any other devices that require their battery to be lightweight. They are also used in many electronics devices especially smartphones.

Up until this moment, LiPo batteries have the largest market share of any batteries there is on market, and we can say that there is almost no tech company that does not use them in at least one of their products.

Advantages and limitations of graphene and lipo battery

Graphene batteries

Advantages

· Graphene batteries have a capacity that is approximately five times more than that of conventional batteries.

· When in testing, there was no change in capacity even after 400 charge cycles.

· They are safer and more reliable than traditional batteries.

· They are eco-friendly and contain a lesser amount of Carbon.

Limitations

· Graphene is a great conductor of electricity, which in some cases is not the desired option.

· Graphene is susceptible to oxidation.

· There are some toxic qualities to graphene that if not handled with care can be very dangerous.

LiPo batteries

Advantages

· They have the ability to store about four times the capacity of regular Li-ion batteries.

· They are Lightweight.

· They can be made in any shape or size.

· They are the most resistant type of battery there is on the market.

Limitations

· Overcharging and overheating can result in fire and explosion

· They discharge even when not in use.

· They have a relatively short life span.

They lose their ability to store energy over time and it is an irreversible process.