Metal Information Center

Batteries – Primary and Secondary Batteries – Materials, Advantages and Disadvantages – Sigma Aldrich

June 8, 2007 – 10:49 am

Types of Batteries

Batteries can be divided into two types: primary or disposable batteries and secondary or rechargeable batteries.
Advantages of Batteries over Fuel Cells

The main advantages of batteries over fuel cells are their:

·         Availability

·         Portability

·         Low cost

·         Wide range of operating conditions
Disadvantages of Batteries When Compared to Fuel Cells

Batteries, however, have much shorter life spans and lack the power output of fuel cells. Power outputs of batteries are typically on the order of 100’s of watts, whereas fuel cells can provide kilowatt to megawatt outputs, power enough to light a building or fuel a vehicle for hours. Under heavy energy demands, batteries can build up dangerous levels of heat and pressure, degrading the battery and possibly causing leaks of toxic compounds or even explosions. In addition, the limited life of primary batteries and the limited cycle life (number of times it can be recharged) of most secondary batteries necessitates the need for disposal of often dangerous and toxic battery materials.

Primary Components of a Battery

The primary component materials of a battery are the anode, cathode, electrolyte, and semi-permeable materials. In addition various catalysts have been used to enhance the performance of electrodes. For example, ruthenium(IV) oxide is used as a catalyst in a vanadium redox battery system. Table 1 summarizes some of the types of electrodes and electrolytes used in common batteries. Many advanced battery designs focus upon new materials for these key components.
Lithium Ion Batteries

Much of the recent battery work has focused on lithium-ion batteries, since they are the primary power source for the ever-growing field of small, rechargeable electronic devices. Nickel sulfide (Aldrich product 34,247-5), for example, was recently explored as a cathode material for rechargeable lithium batteries.2 Current research is also concerned with some very mundane materials in electrodes. New morphologies of graphite flakes, as a case in point, have been studied as anode material in lithium-ion batteries.3 Electrolytes are also very important in battery performance. An LiBF4 solution, for example in a butyrolacetone/ethylene carbonate solution has proven to be a highly conductive and highly thermally stable electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries.