LITHIUM ION (LI-ION OR LIB)

Lithium-ion batteries are common in consumer electronics. They are one of the most popular types of rechargeable battery for portable electronics, with one of the best energy densities, no memory effect, and only a slow loss of charge when not in use.

Lithium-ion batteries can be dangerous under some conditions and can pose a safety hazard since they contain, unlike other rechargeable batteries, a flammable electrolyte and are also kept pressurised. Because of this the testing standards for these batteries are more stringent than those for acid-electrolyte batteries, requiring both a broader range of test conditions and additional battery-specific tests. For this reason alone we recommend only purchasing a replacement battery from a reputable supplier.

LITHIUM POLYMER (LI-POLY, LI-POL, LIPO, LIP, PLI OR LIP)

This type has technologically evolved from lithium-ion batteries. The primary difference is that the lithium-salt electrolyte is not held in an organic solvent but in a solid polymer composite such as polyethylene oxide or polyacrylonitrile. The advantages of Li-ion polymer over the lithium-ion design include potentially lower cost of manufacture, adaptability to a wide variety of packaging shapes, reliability, and ruggedness, with the disadvantage of holding less charge. Lithium-ion polymer batteries started appearing in consumer electronics around 1995. They are desirable in applications where small form factors and energy density outweigh cost considerations.