Alkaline vs Lithium Battery
An alkaline battery (IEC code: L) is a type of primary battery that derives its energy from the reaction between zinc metal and manganese dioxide. Compared with zinc–carbon batteries of the Leclanché cell or zinc chloride types, alkaline batteries have a higher energy density and longer shelf life, yet provide the same voltage. The alkaline battery gets its name because it has an alkaline electrolyte of potassium hydroxide (KOH) instead of the acidic ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) or zinc chloride (ZnCl2) electrolyte of the zinc–carbon batteries. Other battery systems also use alkaline electrolytes, but they use different active materials for the electrodes.
Speaking of alkaline vs lithium battery, there’re differences. Lithium batteries are primary batteries that have metallic lithium as an anode. These types of batteries are also referred to as lithium-metal batteries. They stand apart from other batteries in their high charge density and high cost per unit. Depending on the design and chemical compounds used, lithium cells can produce voltages from 1.5 V (comparable to a zinc–carbon or alkaline battery) to about 3.7 V. Lithium batteries are widely used in portable consumer electronic devices. The term “lithium battery” refers to a family of different lithium-metal chemistries, comprising many types of cathodes and electrolytes but all with metallic lithium as the anode. The battery requires from 0.15 to 0.3 kg of lithium per kWh. As designed these primary systems use a charged cathode, that being an electro-active material with crystallographic vacancies that are filled gradually during discharge.
FAQ for Alkaline vs Lithium Battery
- How to tell if a battery is lithium or alkaline?
- The simplest way to distinguish if a battery is a lithium or alkaline is to check the voltage rating on the battery. In general, an alkaline battery has a voltage rating of 1.5v or even less, while most lithium batteries have a voltage rating of 3.0v or more. You can also identify by checking the size, as most lithium batteries are designed to be small and lightweight, and alkaline batteries are usually larger.
- Can you mix alkaline and lithium batteries?
- Definitely no. Different batteries are designed for different applications. Mixing an alkaline and a lithium battery may lead to battery leakage to rupture, and reduce your device performance, even damage the device finally. Usually, alkaline batteries are best where low cost and long duration are the most important factors, and lithium batteries are most commonly used in portable applications.
- How much longer do lithium batteries last than alkaline?
- Lithium batteries and alkaline batteries are the most common batteries. Alkaline vs lithium battery, which can last longer? Definitely Lithium batteries. Generally, the lifespan of lithium batteries, 10 to 12 years, is much greater than alkaline batteries, and a lithium battery can work for about 8 to 10 times longer in operation than an alkaline battery.
- Are lithium batteries the same as lithium ion batteries?
- Lithium batteries are not the same as lithium ion batteries. The most significant difference between these two batteries is in the cell type they use. Lithium batteries are composed of primary cells, thus feature single-used or non-rechargeable. However, lithium ion batteries, feature secondary cell construction, and are rechargeable and reused. Lithium batteries and lithium ion batteries are both working by storing electric charges in chemical makeup.
- Would a Li-ion battery degrade over time even if left unused?
- Lithium ion batteries start degrading at the moment they’re assembled. It’s a slow and gradual process, degradation levels vary depending on the conditions under which they’re stored. Lithium ions inside the lithium ion batteries flow from the anode to the cathode, which alters the physical structure of the electrode, and finally leads to battery degradation.
