Energy lithium-manganese dioxide

Raman NS, Davenport AJ Sink MS (2010) Development of high energy lithium manganese dioxide primary cell for military applications. In Proceedings 44th Power Sources Conference, Las Vegas, 14—17 June, pp 111-113... 

Secondary lithium-metal batteries which have a lithium-metal anode are attractive because their energy density is theoretically higher than that of lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-molybdenum disulfide batteries were the world s first secondary cylindrical lithium—metal batteries. However, the batteries were recalled in 1989 because of an overheating defect. Lithium-manganese dioxide batteries are the only secondary cylindrical lithium—metal batteries which are manufactured at present. Lithium-vanadium oxide batteries are being researched and developed. Furthermore, electrolytes, electrolyte additives and lithium surface treatments are being studied to improve safety and recharge-ability. 

The cells of "lithium-manganese dioxide" system are most abundant and most popular lithium cells. They are produced by many companies all over the world. Cells of cylindrical, disk, and prismatic form are produced. The main advantages of manganese dioxide-lithium cells amount to their relatively low cost (which is related to the application of not very expensive materials and simplicity of manufacturing) at a sufficiently high energy density. 

Lithium primary batteries with liquid cathodes are a relatively mature technology. Incremental improvements in capacity and performance may occur through design modifications and the use of new materials such as improved carbons in the passive cathode. The U.S. Army is adopting Lithium/Manganese Dioxide replacements for some of the Lithium/Sulfur Dioxide Batteries listed in Table 1 in certain applications. These replacements provide higher capacity and energy at room temperature but not at lower temperature. See the chapter on Lithium Primary Cells Solid Cathodes in this work. 

Table 9.8 compares the energy density of Dura-cell lithium—manganese dioxide button and cylindrical cells with those of conventional mercury—zinc, silver-zinc and zinc-alkaline manganese dioxide and carbon-zinc cells. 

The current-producing reaction in manganese dioxide-lithium cells is described by Equation (11.2) here, indicator x is generally close to unity. In this case, the theoretical specific capacity of such a cell is 285 Ah/kg, which corresponds to the theoretical energy density of 998 Wh/kg at OCV of 3.5 V. The actual energy density for disk and cylindrical cells of a not too low capacity (above 0.1 Ah) is 200-350 Wh/kg and strongly depends on the discharge mode. 

Studies performed by the author on various types of rechargeable batteries for EVs and HEVs reveal that lithium-based batteries are widely used by various manufacturers. The most widely used rechargeable batteries include Li-ion-manganese-dioxide, Li-ion-iron phosphate, Li-ion-sulfide, and Li-ion-polymer. Performance capabilities and other important characteristics of these batteries are described in great detail in this section, with a particular emphasis on energy density, selfdischarge rate, longevity, and power density. 

---