Lithium-Ion vs Lithium Polymer Battery

this image shows Lithium-Ion vs Lithium Polymer Battery

Summary

Do you want to delve into the intricacies of li ion vs li polymer batteries and understand their differences? If the answer is yes! then check out this blog post which covers everything about lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries from what each type of battery is and their respective advantages and disadvantages. This informative blog post will be of great interest to anyone who uses batteries in their daily life, providing insight into which type of battery is best for their needs.

Li po vs Li ion battery

When it comes to portable power, lithium batteries are the best option for portable power due to their effectiveness, longevity, and adaptability. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries are the two primary varieties. Although they both employ lithium, their chemistry, designs, and functionalities differ. Selecting the appropriate battery for robotics applications, electric cars, RC, UAV, and UAS applications requires an understanding of the distinctions.

Before moving to the comparison of the Lipo vs Li ion battery, we have to first understand, what Lithium-ion and Lithium-polymer batteries are.

What is a Lithium-Ion Battery?

Lithium-Ion vs Lithium Polymer Battery

Lithium-ion batteries (LIB) are a family of rechargeable batteries having high energy density and are commonly used in consumer electronics. Unlike the disposable lithium primary battery, a LIB uses intercalated lithium compound instead of metallic lithium as its electrode.

Usually, LIBs are significantly lighter than other kinds of rechargeable batteries of similar size. LIBs are heavily used in portable electronics. These batteries can be commonly found in PDAs, iPods, cell phones, laptops, etc. This term is also known as an LI-ion.

Lithium ions move from the negative electrode (anode) to the positive electrode (cathode) when a LIB is discharging (cathode). Lithium ions move in the opposite direction when a LIB is charging, the negative electrode becomes the cathode and the positive electrode becomes the anode.

Advantages of Lithium-Ion batteries

Pros of Li Ion Batteries: Why Choose Li Ion over Li Polymer?

  1. A typical LIB can store 150 watt-hours of electricity per kg of battery, compared to 100 watt-hours in a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery and only 25 watt-hours in a lithium-ion battery.
  2. LIBs hold a charge well. They usually lose approximately 5% of their charge each month, against a 20% monthly loss for NiMH batteries.
  3. LIBs do not require complete discharge before recharging.
  4. LIBs can handle more charge/discharge cycles.

Disadvantages of Lithium-ion Batteries

  1. The LIBs start to degrade the moment they leave the factory. They usually last for only two to three years from the date of manufacture, regardless of whether used or unused.
  2. LIBs are highly sensitive to higher temperatures. Higher temperature leads to a much faster degradation rate than normal.
  3. If a LIB is fully discharged, it gets damaged.
  4. LIBs are comparatively expensive.
  5. There exists a small possibility that if the LIB pack fails, it may burst open into flame.

What is lithium polymer battery?

What is a lithium-polymer battery

A lithium polymer battery (LiPo, LIP, or Li-Poly) is a rechargeable battery with a soft polymer casing and a soft external "pouch" for the lithium-ion battery inside. It could also be a lithium-ion battery with a gelled polymer as the electrolyte. However, the term is most commonly used to describe a type of lithium-ion battery that comes in a pouch. The more accurate name for this type of battery is lithium-ion polymer battery.

Lithium-polymer batteries are lighter and more flexible than other kinds of lithium-ion batteries because of their soft shells, allowing them to be used in mobile and other electronic devices, as well as in remote control vehicles.

Lithium-Polymer (LiPo) batteries are the latest iteration of rechargeable battery technology. They have a number of advantages over other types, such as the Li polymer battery having higher energy density and longer service life due to their pouch cell construction that uses less space than traditional cylindrical cells. LiPo batteries also boast better performance in high temperature environments because they can handle larger charge/discharge currents with more stability compared to other chemistries. The thin film packaging reduces possible damage from physical shock or vibration, while also enabling these power sources to be lighter weight for applications requiring portability or mobility like drones and wireless speakers. Finally, greater flexibility creates opportunities for customizing design size when powering consumer electronics including smartphones and tablets making them an ideal choice wherever reliability is essential!

The lithium polymer batteries (LIPO) are most commonly used in mobile devices, power banks, very thin laptop computers, portable media players, wireless controllers for video game consoles, wireless PC peripherals, electronic cigarettes, and other applications where small form factors are considered.

Advantages of the LiPo battery

  1. Li polymer battery offers high specific energy compared to other lithium batteries.
  2. It is used in less-weight devices such as smartphones and thin laptops as well as smart wearables due to its lightweight and compact size.
  3. Lithium Polymer battery offers high capacity and hence can be used to hold more power.
  4. Li polymer battery is safe from explosion, unlike Li-Ion battery.
  5. It does not lose its charging capacity as fast as a Li-Ion battery. Hence its life span is greater than 1000 times which is higher than a Li-Ion battery. lithium polymer battery charging time is very short.

Disadvantages of LiPo Battery

  1. Li polymer battery supports less recharge life which is about 300 to 400 cycles.
  2. Its chemistry leads to fire when the LiPo battery is punctured.
  3. Lithium polymer battery requires special care during charging, discharging, and storage.
  4. Li polymer battery is expensive. The cost is almost double that Li-Ion battery.

Comparison between Lithium-Ion and Lithium-Polymer Batteries

Lipo vs Li ion battery comparison based on their specification:

Specifications

Lithium-Ion Battery

Lithium Polymer Battery

Energy density, WH/Kg

Higher, 100 to 250

Lower, 130 to 200

Cost

Cheap

Expensive, almost double than Li-Ion

Size

Big

Slim

Chances of explosion when overcharged

Like to explode if do not handle with care


Safe from explosion



Li-po vs Li-ion Battery Life

The charging capacity is reduced over time. Life span < 100 times

It does not lose its charging capacity as much as compared to Lithium-Ion. Lithium polymer battery life span > 1000 times

Duration of charging

Long

Short

Weight

Heavier

Light in Weight

Conversion rate

About 85 to 95 %

About 75 to 90 %

Nominal cell voltage

3.2 V

3.7 V

Safety concern

Not stable

Stable

Environment concern

Very dangerous

Somehow

 

Li po vs Li ion battery Which One to Choose?

Your unique needs will determine whether you choose lithium polymer (LiPo) or lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. So before choosing Li ion vs Li polymer you need to identify you needs.

  • LiPo batteries are ideal for thin designs since they are lighter and more pliable in shape. Wearables and drones are among the applications where they are desired.
  • Because of their solid construction, Li-ion batteries offer superior safety and a higher energy density. They work well with gadgets like laptops and electric cars.

To choose the ideal alternative for you, take into account elements like energy density, safety, and the intended use. When it comes to selecting between Lipo vs Li ion battery never get confused again.

 

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have learned about Lipo vs Lithium ion and what Lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries are subject to advantages and disadvantages. Lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous and yield heightened energy density, whereas lithium-polymer batteries provide greater pliancy in terms of structure and better safety. Ultimately, one's preferences and specific needs will determine whether to opt for one over the other. Regardless of the type of battery you select, it's evident that lithium-based technology has been a game-changer in the realm of powering our gadgets and will continue to play an indispensable role for many years to come. Hence, it's crucial to stay abreast of the upsides and downsides of various battery types, such as lithium-ion and lithium-polymer, to remain up-to-date with the latest technology trends.


If you understand Li ion vs lipo and appreciate our work don't forget to share this post and leave your opinion in the comment box.

 

Please do check out other blog posts about Popular electronics

 

Check out other related blog post about batteries What is AH in Battery , Automatic Battery Charging Circuit , How to Charge LiPo Battery and How to Use IMAX B6 Multifunction Charger for LiPo Batteries

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a lithium-ion battery used for?

The lithium-ion battery, a reservoir of electrical potential, finds employment in sundry contrivances ranging from handheld communicators to personal computers, motorcars and mechanical implements. Its reputation for elevated energy density, negligible self-discharge, and extended longevity precedes it. Functioning on the basis of an intricate interplay of lithium ions and a cathode medium, it engenders power via a chemical reaction and may be rejuvenated using a supplementary external power source.

 

2. What are lithium-polymer batteries for?

Lithium-polymer batteries are rechargeable batteries that use a soft polymer casing and lithium-ion for one of the electrodes. They are commonly used to power commercial and hobby drones, radio-controlled aircraft, radio-controlled cars, and large-scale model trains due to their lower weight and increased capacity and power delivery. Lithium-polymer batteries differ from lithium-ion batteries in that they use a polymer electrolyte rather than a liquid electrolyte

 

3. Which battery is better lithium or polymer?

Lithium-ion batteries are generally more effective and prevalent than lithium-polymer batteries. They have better density and high power capacity than lithium-polymer batteries, and they also last longer on average. They are also more versatile in terms of their size and shape, making them suitable for smaller devices. 

On the other hand, lithium-polymer batteries are more robust and flexible in terms of their build, making them suitable for high-power use. They also have an extremely low self-discharge rate, meaning they can retain their charge for a longer period of time. Additionally, lithium-polymer batteries are safer than lithium-ion batteries due to their robust packaging.

 

4. Lithium-ion vs Lithium polymer which is safer?

Security concerns exist with both lithium-ion (Li-ion) and lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries. Be that as it may, Li-ion batteries are for the most part considered more secure than lithium polymer batteries since of their more prominent solidness.


5. Li-ion vs Li-polymer which is best for mobile?

Both Li-ion and LiPo batteries can work well for mobile devices, and which one you choose depends on what you need for design, cost, and how well they perform.

 

6. Which is better LiPo or Li-ion battery for drone?

For most drone uses, LiPo batteries are usually the favorite because they have more energy for their size, less weight, and better discharge power. This helps drones fly better and longer.

 

7. Can I replace LiPo with Li-ion battery?

In some cases, you can replace a lithium polymer (LiPo) battery with a lithium-ion (Li-ion) one, but there are factors to consider:

 

  • Voltage and Capacity: Ensure they match.
  • Size and Shape: Check compatibility with the device.
  • Discharge Rate: LiPo batteries often discharge faster.
  • Safety: Follow proper handling guidelines.
  • Performance: Evaluate any differences in runtime and power delivery.
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