22 Years' Battery Customization
Jun 06, 2023 Pageview：642
Today, we are surrounded by computers, mobile phones, digital cameras, & other electronic devices every day. These all have one thing in common, & that is batteries. On the marketplace, there are several kinds of batteries. Each kind of battery has an area of expertise; simultaneously, it must be deficient in one area compared to others. Today, we will discuss two major types of batteries, i.e., NiMH and lithium-ion batteries. They are the most popular rechargeable batteries. Let's have a look at the difference between NiMH battery and lithium-ion battery.
What Is NiMH Battery?
NiMH is a rechargeable battery primarily developed in 1989; it is very reasonably priced and functions like an uncharged alkaline battery. These are less likely to leak or burst & have a somewhat lower but usually compatible cell voltage. Like the chemical procedure of NiCd batteries, the positive electrode uses nickel hydroxide. Compared to NiCd battery, NiMH battery has two to three times higher capacity & upper energy density.
What Is lithium-ion battery?
It is an advanced battery technology. It uses lithium ions as a vital part of its electrochemistry. During the discharge cycle, lithium atoms in the anode undergo ionization and become separated from their electrons. These lithium ions then move across the electrolyte, making their way towards the cathode. Upon reaching the cathode, the lithium ions combine with electrons and regain their electrical neutrality.
Li-ion battery is also a rechargeable battery. It has a cathode made of lithium metal oxide & anode generally made of graphite. Lithium-ion batteries are used in a broad range of products, counting laptops, cars, cell phones, and so on.
Differences in daily life
On the performance scale, Li-ion batteries do better than NiMH in the maximum categories. They have a longer life cycle of five years compared to the NiMH life cycle of two to five years. Li-ion batteries offer several advantages over NiMH batteries. They have significantly faster charging times, exhibit superior performance in extreme temperatures, and maintain their charge for longer periods. On the other hand, NiMH batteries are generally more affordable compared to Li-ion batteries. They require very little maintenance, are more environmentally friendly & are free from the transportation regulations that Li-ion batteries must follow when transported.
Advantages and disadvantages of lithium-ion batteries
Advantages of Lithium-ion Battery
Easy maintenance
One significant lithium-ion battery benefit is that they do not need maintenance to guarantee performance. Ni-Cad cells needed periodic discharging to avoid memory effects. This maintenance procedure is not required because it does not affect lithium-ion batteries and cells.
Higher Battery Life
Lithium-ion batteries generally last for an extended time compared to most of the other battery models. These batteries can last around two to three years or 300-500 charge periods.
Continuous voltage
Another benefit of lithium-ion batteries is that they can maintain a steady voltage. No matter how heavy the load is, a lithium-ion battery effectively keeps the voltage fixed. This is since the voltage generated by every lithium-ion cell is about 3.6 volts which is higher than its other alternates.
Diversity of models obtainable
There are several types of lithium-ion cells available. It may be possible to use lithium-ion batteries for the right application with this benefit. Some lithium-ion batteries deliver a high current density & are perfect for consumer mobile electronic equipment. Others can offer much higher current levels and are perfect for power tools & electric vehicles.
Eco-friendly
Lithium-ion batteries have a low environmental impact since they do not use substances like lead, cadmium, and mercury as materials. Materials like cadmium, lead, & mercury have always existed in nature. Thus, they do not have a significant impact on the natural environment itself.
Lightweight and compact
Lithium batteries have a weight advantage, being 50 to 60% lighter than conventional batteries. This characteristic makes them exceptionally well-suited for compact and portable devices such as smartphones and e-readers.
High energy density
Lithium-ion batteries are top performers in terms of high energy density. This property defines the energy a battery can hold relative to its size. The more power a battery can store, the higher its energy density. With lithium-ion batteries, you can save between 260 and 270 wh/kg, compared to lead-acid batteries that can save between 50 & 100 wh/kg.
Low self-discharge rate
Lithium-ion cells' self-discharge rate is much lower than that of other rechargeable cells, for example, NiMH forms. It is usually around 5% in the first 4 hours after being charged, then falls to around 1 or 2% per month.
Disadvantages of lithium-ion Battery
Protection required
Lithium batteries are delicate and require a protection circuit to ensure safe operation. This circuitry plays a crucial role in limiting the maximum voltage of each cell during charging and prevents the cell voltage from falling excessively low during discharge.
Performance decreases with time.
Even though the lithium-ion battery life is long-term, it never remains the same throughout its lifetime. Also, the performance of lithium-ion batteries reduces as time passes. The batteries also reduce their performance whether they are in use or not. There is also a time-related factor in the decline in capacity.
Extremely fragile
Lithium-ion batteries do not fit for severe usage as they have little robust technology. Since Li-ion batteries contain liquid polymerized electrolytes, they can be perforated quickly.
Not easy Transportation
There is a lot of restriction for the transport of lithium-ion batteries, especially large quantities by air, though you can carry a small number of batteries in your baggage when you fly.
Not safe at higher temperatures
Another main disadvantage of lithium-ion batteries is that they are unsafe to use at higher temperatures. Li-ion batteries may catch fire and explode in smartphones that overheat.?
Expensive
The production of Lithium-ion batteries could be a rather costly affair. The general production cost of these batteries is about 40% higher than nickel-metal hydride batteries.
Differences in charging methods
Self-discharge
Self-discharge is caused by a battery not being used. Self-discharge of Ni-MH batteries is comparatively common, and self-discharge will shorten the battery life & terminate early. In contrast, Li-ion batteries have almost negligible self-discharge because of natural differences in chemistry owing to the materials used.
No memory effect
NiMH batteries have a noticeable memory effect. So, the NiMH battery needs to be carefully deep discharged after every use to clear the leftover memory, and the Li-ion battery could be recharged at any time.?
High charge & discharge platform
The voltage of a single Li-ion battery is 3.6V, and the voltage of a single NiMH battery is 1.2 volts. Li-ion batteries are charged by setting the terminal voltage, typically at 4.2V per cell. Nickel-metal hydride batteries do not experience significant voltage fluctuations. The charging method for Li-ion batteries is known as voltage and current limiting, whereas NiMH batteries have a low voltage plateau and are usually charged using constant current. Li-ion battery chargers and NiMH battery chargers cannot be used interchangeably due to their different charging methods.
Conclusion
Compared to NiMH batteries, Li-ion batteries perform better in most categories. The life expectancy of a lithium-ion battery is five times longer than that of a NiMH battery, which has a life expectancy of two to five years. Additionally, Li-ion batteries charge faster, can withstand extreme temperatures, and last longer than NiMH batteries. NiMH batteries are more costly than Li-ion. They need very little maintenance & do not have to follow the shipping regulations requisite for Li-ion batteries.
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