Lithium batteries - basic information

Lithium 'button' batteries are often used as power for the smallest portable devices (calculators, electronic dictionaries, etc.) - and for memory backup in similar devices (including BIOS memory backup in desktop computers). In lithium technology, batteries are also made in typical AA and AAA stick sizes, which very efficiently power digital cameras and other advanced electrical devices (it is important that they have a current regulator that can withstand higher voltage, especially at the beginning of the cell's operation).

Lithium (Li-FeS2) batteries compatible with standard AA/AAA batteries were introduced to the market of popular consumer electronics in early 2007 by Energizer (Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries). In mid-June 2008, Philips introduced Philips Lithium Ultra batteries.

A lithium-iron cell is made of a lithium (metallic) anode and cathode in the form of a paste of powdered iron sulfide, mixed with graphite immersed in a liquid electrolyte. Organic compounds are used as electrolytes, e.g. propylene carbonate, dioxolate, dimethoxyethane.

These batteries have a nominal voltage of 1.7 V, but at the beginning of operation they provide up to 1.8 V. Most electrical devices will endure such a difference, but some can be damaged: especially flashlights with bulbs and filaments and flashlights with LEDs powered directly from the battery (the so-called Direct Drive). Lithium batteries are resistant to temperatures from -35 to +60 degrees Celsius, and have a very long shelf life of up to 15 years.

Lithium battery manufacturers claim that they can take up to 7 times more photos than traditional alkaline batteries. Lithium batteries are very resistant to high current discharge, which occurs when charging a flash and are resistant to temperatures below 0 °C. Alkaline batteries, on the other hand, lose their capacity (up to 90%) below -5 °C because their electrolyte freezes. The combination of temperatures below -5 °C and high current load causes alkaline batteries to quickly refuse to work in such conditions. Measurements carried out under the same conditions - at room temperature (about 20 °C) show that lithium batteries have about 60% more capacity than alkaline batteries at low current load. When loaded with a high discharge current, lithium batteries show 4 times (i.e. 400%) more capacity than alkaline batteries.

See also: Table of Replacement Lithium Photo Batteries
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