Lithium primary batteries characteristics

Lithium primary batteries are a comparatively new type of primary battery. Since they were first introduced, however, they have found a variety of applications, mainly in consumer uses. Lithium batteries have the lightweight properties of lithium, such as low specific gravity (0.53) and low potential (-3.0 V vs NHE), and by using a non-aqueous electrolyte solution, they have the following superior characteristics ... 

Table 6.6 is a summary, albeit simplified, of criteria that should be considered in making a preliminary determination of the type of battery—primary or secondary—to be used. It is most applicable to comparing the conventional systems and lithium primary batteries. As pointed out in Sec. 6.4, the characteristics of the rechargeable lithium batteries may difference from these generalizations. 

Lithium primary batteries, with their outstanding performance and characteristics, are being used in increasing quantities in a variety of applications, including cameras, memory backup circuits, security devices, calculators, watches, etc. Nevertheless, Uthium primary batteries have not attained a major share of the market as was anticipated, because of their high initial cost, concerns with safety, the advances made with competitive systems and the cost-effectiveness of the alkaline/manganese battery. World-wide sales of Uthium primary batteries for 1999 have been estimated at 1.1 billion. ... 

Lithium primary batteries can be classified into several categories, based on the type of electrolyte (or solvent) and cathode material used. These classifications, examples of materials that were considered or used, and the major characteristics of each are listed in Table 14.1. 

A listing of the major lithium primary batteries now in production or advanced development and a summary of their constmctional features, key electrical characteristics, and available sizes are presented in Table 14.6. The types of batteries, their sizes, and some characteristics are subject to change depending on design, standardization, and market development. Manufacturers data should be obtained for specific characteristics. The performance characteristics of these systems, under theoretical conditions, are given in Table 14.4. Comparisons of the performance of the lithium batteries with comparably sized conventional primary batteries are covered in Secs. 6.4 and 7.3. Detailed characteristics of some of these batteries are covered in Secs. 14.5 to 14.12. 

TABLE 14.6 Characteristics of Lithium Primary Batteries Continued)... 

The lithium/sulfur dioxide (Li/S02) battery is the most advanced of these lithium primary batteries. These batteries are typically manufactured in cylindrical configurations in capacities up to about 35 Ah. They are noted for their high specific power (about the highest of the lithium primary batteries, high energy density, and good low-temperature performance. They are used in military and specialized industrial, space and commercial applications where these performance characteristics are required. 

One of the potential advantages of the lithium metal rechargeable batteries is their good charge retention which, in many cases, should be similar to the charge retention characteristics of the lithium primary batteries. 

Linden D, McDonald B (1980) The lithium—sulfur dioxide primary battery — its characteristics, performance and applications. J Power Sources 5 35, Elsevier Sequoia, Lausanne... 

Lithium Primary Cells, Liquid Cathodes, Fig. 8 Discharge characteristics of spirally wound Li/SOCl2 D-size battery, medium discharge rate at 20 °C [5]... 

Several types of primary batteries have been developed that use lithium-metal anodes and solid cathodes. This entry reviews the more common commercial systems, namely Li-FeS2, Li-MnOa, and Li-CFx- Readers are referred to the relevant sections for information on Li-V20s and Li-Ag2V40ii cells that are used for reserve and medical battery applications, respectively. There has been a wide range of cathodes developed in the laboratory and also marketed for specialty applications [1], but most have never been produced commercially. (Li-CuO cells were made for some military applications [2], but production was discontinued in the mid-1990s). Before going into details on the aforementioned three types mostly used in consumer applications, we will cover the main characteristics that they have in common. 

Primary Batteries for Medical Applications, Table 1 applications in implanted medical devices Summary of primary lithium battery characteristics and their ... 

Table 5.11 Important Characteristics of the Five Primary Lithium-Based Batteries...

D. Linden and B. McDonald, The Lithium-Sulfur Dioxide Primary Battery—Its Characteristics, Performance and Applications, J. Power Sources 5 35 (1980), Elsevier Sequoia, Lausanne, Switzerland. 

Askew, B. A., and R. Holland A High Rate Primary Lithium-Sulfur Battery, Power Sources 4 (1972). Birt, D., C. Feltham, G. Hazzard, and L. Pearce The Electrochemical Characteristics of Iron Sulfide and Immobilized Salt Electrolytes, Power Sources 7 (1978). 

Lithium Metal. The search for high-energy-density batteries has inevitably led to the use of lithium, as the electrochemical characteristics of this metal are unique. A number of batteries, both primary and rechargeable, using a lithium anode in conjunction with intercalation cathodes, were developed which had attractive energy densities, excellent storage characteristics, and, for rechargeable cells, a reasonable cycle life. Commercial success has eluded all but the primary batteries due to persistent safety problems. 

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