What is a battery? What are the battery types?
What is a battery? ( * )
A battery is an electronic device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. It has two terminals, anode (- end) and cathode (+ end). The minus-labeled end is the source of the electron and acts as the terminal that provides electrons when connected to a device that uses electrical energy. For the formation of electrons, the ions of the electrolytes in the battery move and perform chemical reactions to generate energy. The word “battery” is the name given to a structure consisting of multiple cells (we can say batteries) where these reactions take place separately. As technology evolves, higher energy generation per cell is possible without the need for more cells.
Disposable batteries, as the name suggests, can only be used once until they run out of life and then disposed of. The electrodes contained in these batteries undergo irreversible changes as a result of chemical reactions and therefore cannot be recharged. The most known examples are alkaline and zinc-carbon based batteries.
Zinc-Carbon Battery
Internal structure of Zinc-Carbon Battery.
Charged batteries are used to reverse the chemical reaction with reverse electric current after use and thus allow the re-use. Examples of rechargeable batteries are lead-acid batteries used in automobiles, lithium batteries used in mobile phones, portable computers and electric cars, and nickel-based batteries produced in general-purpose sizes such as AA and AAA.
Battery Types
Batteries; They are categorized according to their characteristics such as size, chemistry, non-rechargeable and usage areas. Rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries have different chemistry due to their structure.
The most well-known types of non-rechargeable batteries are alkaline and zinc-carbon .
In rechargeable batteries, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, lead acid, lithium polymer (Li-Po) and lithium ion (Li-Ion) are the most common types.
When we categorize the batteries according to their size;
AA and AAA pen batteries,
C and D size batteries that offer more capacity and still retain the form of a pen battery,
9V batteries,
4.5V flat batteries (no longer popular),
Batteries called CR2032 , LR44
18650 lithium batteries preferred in portable computers and electric cars
We often see batteries like this. Furthermore, since lithium polymer batteries do not have to be manufactured according to a particular device, it is possible to produce devices such as mobile phones, remote controlled vehicles and computers in special sizes according to each brand and model.
According to usage areas;
AA / AAA pen batteries and 9V batteries in our daily electronic devices
18650 lithium cells inside the batteries of our portable computers,
Clock batteries such as CR2032 , used in devices such as RTC circuits (real time clock) and low power consuming remote control,
Li-Po and Li-Ion cells used in mobile phones, RC vehicles and electronic devices with built-in rechargeable batteries
as we see the batteries.
What is a Lithium Ion Battery? ( * )
A lithium-ion battery is a rechargeable battery. It has a different chemical structure than non-rechargeable lithium batteries. Lithium ion batteries are more advantageous than other rechargeable batteries due to their high energy efficiency, long life, no memory effect (full charge) and high discharge capabilities. Lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries used in remote controlled vehicles and robotic projects are very similar to lithium-ion batteries.
What is 18650 Battery?
18650 is the name given to the way that lithium-ion batteries are commonly found on the market. It has a 18mm diameter and 65mm height pen battery shape. Powerbank devices, which are used to charge our mobile phones, are used in many small and large devices such as laptop batteries, electric cars, electronic cigarettes, rechargeable hand tools and flashlights.
18650 battery
18650 battery.
Many 18650 lithium batteries with different current and capacity ratings are available. Quality brands such as Sony, LG and Samsung also produce these types of batteries. These batteries usually have capacities such as 1800-2500 mAh. The very unknown brand 18650 batteries with a very ambitious capacity, such as 6000 mAh, are unfortunately unable to meet this value.
What is a Lithium Polymer (Li-po) Battery?
Lithium-Polymer (LiPo) batteries are rechargeable batteries that use polymer-type electrodes instead of liquid electrodes used by lithium-ion batteries. They offer a higher energy density per unit volume than other types of lithium batteries.
11.1V 2250mah Lipo
11.1V (3S) 2250 mAh 25C LiPo battery.
Lithium polymer batteries can be manufactured in any desired shape. Thus, designs such as mobile phones, ultrabook computers can be used easily in devices with space and size problems. LiPo batteries can be connected in series or parallel with 3.7V (4.2V when fully charged) voltage and capacities as desired. In remote controlled vehicles and robotic projects, LiPo batteries from single to 6 cells are often preferred. The most preferred models are 7.4V (2S) obtained by serial connection of 2 cells and 11.1V (3S) batteries obtained by serial connection of 3 cells.
The “C” values are indicated on the lithium polymer batteries, indicating the maximum current they can deliver. Using C, we calculate how much current a LiPo battery can deliver:
For example, suppose we have a LiPo battery with a capacity of 2200mAh and 25C (the number of cells is not important for this calculation). In order to find the current that can be drawn from this battery, we first convert 2200 milliampere-hour to 1000-ampere-hour (2200/1000 = 2.2). When we multiply this value by 25, which is the C value of our battery, the current of 2.2 x 25 = 55A means that our battery will normally be able to discharge until the battery is exhausted. If you want to know more about LiPo batteries, you can watch our YouTube video.
What is a Rechargeable (Rechargeable) Battery?
Rechargeable, or rechargeable batteries, are batteries of the type in which the chemical reaction to produce electricity can be restored by means of reverse current and is now able to generate electricity again. Lead acid batteries, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel cadmium (NiCd) type rechargeable batteries, lithium ion and lithium polymer batteries are the most commonly used rechargeable batteries today.
Battery Dimensions
Batteries are also classified by their physical size beyond their capacity. AA and AAA sizes are the most common pen batteries. Zinc carbon and alkaline are the most common types of pen batteries.
AA vs AAA battery
AA and AAA pen battery sizes.
There are also C and D pen batteries for larger devices.
Another known size for disposable batteries is the 9V battery . The technical code for the dimensions of 9V batteries is PP3 . The dimensions are 48.5 x 26.5 x 17.5 (mm) as standard. Rechargeable and non-rechargeable types are available. Most alkaline 9V batteries consist of 6 1.5V cells.
9V battery inside
Internal structure of 9V battery.
Coin-sized batteries, also referred to as clock batteries , are also used in devices such as watches, calculators, and remote controllers with lower power consumption. They may have lithium and alkaline chemistry. Rechargeable types are also available.
Clock battery types
Various different size clock batteries.
What is AA Battery?
AA pen batteries are commercially available as rechargeable and disposable batteries . They are named R6 according to IEC 60086 standard and 15 according to ANSIC18 standard.
AA pen batteries have a voltage of 1.5V unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. They have a length of 49.2–50.5 mm and a diameter of 13.5–14.5 mm . Alkaline AA batteries weigh approximately 23 g, lithium AA batteries 15 g, and rechargeable Ni-MH AA batteries weigh around 31 g.
AA battery comparison table
Comparison of AA size batteries
What is AAA Battery?
AAA pen batteries are commercially available as rechargeable and disposable batteries . It is named R03 according to IEC 60086 standard and 24 according to ANSI C18 standard.
AA pen batteries have a voltage of 1.5V unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. They have a length of 44.5 mm and a diameter of 10.5 mm . Alkaline AA batteries weigh approximately 11.5 g, lithium AA batteries 7.6 g, and rechargeable Ni-MH AA batteries weigh around 14-15 g.
AAA Battery Comparison Table
Comparison of AAA size batteries
What is Alkaline Battery?
Alkaline batteries produce electricity by making use of the chemical reaction between zinc dioxide and manganese dioxide. Some, but not all, alkaline batteries can be recharged using their own special chargers.
Alkaline batteries have higher energy density and shelf life compared to zinc carbon batteries.
The capacity of the alkaline battery varies with load. A typical AA size alkaline pen battery may have a capacity of around 3000mAh when used in a low-current device, but when used in devices that draw close to 1A current, such as digital cameras, its capacity can drop to 700mAh.
The voltage standardized by the manufacturers of alkaline batteries is 1.5V. The voltage of a fully charged alkaline battery at no load is 1.50-1.65V. The voltage under average load varies between 1.1-1.3V depending on the battery level and the current drawn. A fully exhausted alkaline battery will have a voltage of around 0.8-1.0V.
Alkaline battery voltage table
Capacity / voltage table of alkaline batteries.
Why and How to Recycle Waste Batteries
Batteries and batteries, heavy metals contain toxic chemicals. If we dispose of our used and expired batteries, it may be possible that these dangerous substances are mixed with soil and water and cause pollution.
Depending on their type, the batteries are recycled as follows:
Lead-acid: These batteries are divided into building blocks in a controlled manner. Plastic, lead metal and sulfuric acid in their structures are recycled to be reused. The plastic parts are washed, cleaned, melted and re-formed into small pieces suitable for shaping. Lead is likewise melted in the furnaces to be reused and purified from other metal mixtures. Sulfuric acid, the last remaining component, can be evaluated in two different ways: In one of these processes, acid is neutralized with a carbonate-like industrial chemical used in our homes and converted into water. This water is made available again by treatment plants. Another method is the conversion of sulfuric acid to sodium sulphate by means of a chemical substance and making it a raw material for use in detergents and other cleaning products. Lead acid batteries are 98% recyclable.
Alkaline: Alkaline batteries are mechanically broken down and decomposed into substances contained in their structures. Alkaline batteries are separated into materials such as zinc-manganese concentrate, steel, paper, plastic and brass and recycled at 100%.
Lithium ion: This type of batteries are decomposed into raw materials such as cobalt and lithium salts, stainless steel, copper, aluminum and plastic at room temperature and in an oxygen-free environment. Lithium ion batteries are 100% recyclable.
Nickel cadmium: As with other types of batteries, the plastic parts of nickel cadmium batteries are separated from metals and as a result of high temperature metal separation process, all metals (nickel, iron, manganese and chromium) in the battery raw material are melted in a furnace and solidified so that they can be reused. The metals melting at low temperatures such as zinc and cadmium are separated during the melting process. Plastic parts can be reused. Nickel cadmium batteries are 100% recyclable.
Niket metal hydride: Plastic parts connecting the cells are separated before recycling. The cells are then subjected to a drying process which removes the potassium hydroxide electrolyte and moisture contained therein. After drying, these batteries become raw materials which can be used in stainless steel and alloy production industry. Other metals and plastics are evaluated for use in other products. Nickel metal hydride batteries are 100% recyclable.
1Axx
Energizer AA Batteries (48Count), Double A Max Alkaline Battery – Packaging May Vary