Powerful Guide to Different Types of Lithium-ion Batteries

Types of lithium-ion batteries — button, prismatic, and cylindrical cells with performance comparison

Overview of the Types of Lithium-ion Batteries

There are three main types of lithium-ion batteries available today: button type, prismatic (square), and cylindrical. Each has unique applications and structural advantages, making lithium-ion technology the most widely used energy source across industries.


Key Electrochemical Performance Parameters

  • Rated Voltage: Standard commercial lithium-ion batteries operate at 3.6V, within a range of 4.1–2.4V.
  • Rated Capacity: Determined by discharging at a constant current of 0.2C until the cutoff voltage.
  • 1C Capacity: Obtained when discharging at 1C; a smaller difference from rated capacity indicates better current characteristics.
  • Temperature Performance: Operating temperature typically ranges from -20°C to +55°C.
  • Charge Retention: After 28 days of open-circuit storage, lithium-ion batteries retain 85%+ of their charge.
  • Cycle Life: Generally exceeds 500 charge cycles, depending on quality and usage conditions.

Solid vs. Liquid Lithium-ion Batteries

According to the electrolyte type, lithium-ion batteries can be divided into:

  • Liquid lithium-ion batteries (traditional type), and
  • Solid or polymer lithium-ion batteries, which use solid or gel polymer electrolytes.

Polymer lithium-ion batteries are safer, lighter, and more flexible in design. Because they contain less liquid electrolyte, they are less prone to explosion, overcharging damage, or leakage.


Structural Designs

Lithium-ion batteries are usually built in winding or stacking configurations.
The next-generation polymer lithium-ion batteries can be as thin as 0.5 mm, with up to 50% higher energy density and improved cycle life compared to conventional models.


Advantages of Polymer Lithium-ion Batteries

  1. Excellent safety and stability
  2. Thin and lightweight design
  3. Higher capacity and power output
  4. Lower internal resistance
  5. Flexible shape customization
  6. Smooth discharge performance
  7. Simplified protection board design

These features make polymer lithium-ion batteries ideal for smartphones, medical equipment, drones, and wearable devices.


External Reference

For deeper insight, visit Battery University’s lithium-ion battery overview .


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