An introduction to Batteries
N. Murer
Outline
1. Definition and principles
2. Technology
1. Characteristics
Outline
1. Definition and principles
2. Technology
1. Characteristics
Definition
An electrical battery is one or more electrochemical
cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical
energy (= current).
Primary batteries : cannot be recharged.
Secondary batteries : rechargeable batteries that involve
reversible reactions (backward and forward)
How it works
Example of a Li-ion battery
1. Initial state (charged) : Ecell = EOC
+ -
M
M
M
M
Electrolyte
Ecell = Cell voltage = potential difference between the
positive electrode and the negative electrode.
How it works
Example of a Li-ion battery
2. Discharge : Ecell < EOC (charged) (Spontaneous reactions)
e-
+ -
M
M M+ M
Electrolyte
Cathode/Reduction Anode/Oxidation
(Insertion) (Desinsertion)
How it works
Example of a Li-ion battery
3. Charge : Ecell > EOC (discharged) (Forced reactions)
e-
+ -
M M
M M+
Electrolyte
Anode/Oxidation Cathode/Reduction
(Desinsertion) (Re-Insertion)
Outline
1. Definition and principles
2. Technology
3. Characteristics
Technology
Various materials are used for the positive and negative
electrodes and the electrolyte
• Lead acid batteries (PbO2-Pb)
• Alkaline batteries (Ni-MH and Ni-Cd)
• Lithium-ion batteries (LiCoO2-, LiMn2O4-,LiFePO4-C6)
• Lithium Metal Polymer, Lithium-Air, …
Technology
Initial Charged State After discharge Main
Name + - + - Electrolyte
application
Automobile
Lead Acid PbO2 Pb PbSO4 PbSO4 H2SO4
starter, PV
Nickel Cadmium NiO(OH) Cd Ni(OH)2 Cd(OH)2
Nickel-Metal KOH
NiO(OH) MH Ni(OH)2 M
Hydride
Electronics
Li1-xCoO2 LixC6 LiCoO2 C6 LiPF6 in
Li-ion organic
Li1-xFePO4 LixC6 LiFePO4 C6
solvent
Electronics,
Li-Metal Li LixV3O8 Li V2O5 Polymer
transportation
Technology
Lithium batteries represent now the largest share of the market
Source : [Link]
Outline
1. Definition and principles
2. Technology
3. Characteristics
Characteristics
Nominal Potential
constant potential value of the battery during the discharge in V
One cell voltage : Pb = 2 V, Ni-MH = 1.2 V, Li-ion = 3.6 V
Deep discharge or deep
charge can lead to
potentially dangerous
unwanted non-
reversible reactions.
Ex : H2 production for
at constant current Ni-Cd battery.
Characteristics
Capacity
electrical charge that can be stored in a reversible way in A.h
1 mol of electrons (6.1023 e-) = 1 Faraday = 96 500 C = 26.81 A.h
Energy = Voltage x Capacity in W.h or V.A.h
Power = Voltage x Current in W
Discharge rate (or charge): current discharge value (galvanostatic
mode) expressed as a function of the theoretical capacity.
C/n cycling rate: C (theoretical capacity)/n (number of hours).
Capacity, Energy and Power are usually expressed by unit of mass or
volume for comparison purpose.
Characteristics
Stack : several batteries in series or parallel
Series
1 2 3 4
I
+ - + - + - + -
E1 E2 E3 E4
Estack = E1 + E2 + E3 + E4
Istack = I1 = I2 = I3 = I4 (same current in all four elements)
Parallel -
- - -
Estack
1
4
Load
Istack
+ + + +
Estack = E1 = E2 = E3 = E4
Istack = I1+ I2 + I3 + I4
Comparison
Lead- Rechargeable
Battery type Ni-MH Ni-Cd Li-ion
acid alkaline
Nominal
Potential per 2 1.2 1.2 3.6 1.5
cell (V)
Cheap Higher capacity than Rather cheap Highest capacity High capacity (ca.
NiCd High currents 2 times higher
Less sensitive than allowed than Ni-MH)
Advantages NiCd to overcharging,
memory effect and
deep unloading
Heavy More expensive than Toxic Expensive Capacity reduced
NiCd Memory effect Capacity after each cycle
Degrades when decreases, even (e.g. 50% after 15
overcharged when not used cycles)
Drawbacks Unusable after Explosion risk at
too deep overheating,
unloading over-voltage or
polarity reversal
Thank you for your
attention
