Pros and Cons of various battery technology

Battery

A battery is a device that stores chemical energy and converts it into electrical energy. It typically consists of one or more electrochemical cells, each of which contains a positive electrode (anode), a negative electrode (cathode), and an electrolyte that allows for the flow of ions between the electrodes. When the battery is connected to a circuit, the electrons flow from the negative electrode to the positive electrode, creating a current that can be used to power devices. Batteries come in many different sizes and types, including primary batteries that are disposable and cannot be recharged, and secondary batteries that can be recharged and used multiple times.

Schematic of Battery

Principle of Batteries

A battery works on the principle of electrochemical reactions, which involve the movement of electrons between two electrodes, the anode and cathode, through an electrolyte.

In a primary battery, the anode is the electrode where oxidation occurs, and the cathode is the electrode where reduction occurs. This creates a flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode, generating an electric current. As the electrons flow, the chemical reactants in the anode and cathode are depleted, eventually rendering the battery unable to produce power.

In a secondary battery, the anode and cathode are connected to an external circuit that allows the flow of electrons to be reversed, recharging the battery. The anode is the electrode where oxidation occurs during discharge and reduction occurs during charging, while the cathode is the electrode where reduction occurs during discharge and oxidation occurs during charging.

In both cases, the electrolyte allows the movement of ions between the electrodes which allows the electrons to flow and create the electric current. The composition of the electrodes and electrolyte will determine the voltage and capacity of the battery.

To sum up, in a battery an electric current is generated by the flow of electrons from anode to cathode through an electrolyte. The flow of electrons is driven by the chemical reactions happening at electrodes and in electrolytes. The voltage and capacity of the battery are determined by the composition of electrodes and electrolyte.

Here, Pros and Cons of Li-ion, Na-ion, Al-ion, Mg-ion, Zn-ion and Metal-Sulphur batteries are discussed.

Lithium Ion Battery

A lithium-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery in which lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge and back when charging. Lithium-ion batteries have a high energy density, no memory effect, and low self-discharge rate. They are commonly used in portable electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. The electrodes of a lithium-ion battery are made of a lithium-based compound, such as lithium cobalt oxide for the cathode and graphite for the anode. The electrolyte is typically a lithium salt in an organic solvent.

Lithium-ion batteries are one of the most commercially available and widely used types of batteries. Compared to other types of batteries, they have a number of advantages, such as high energy density, long cycle life, and relatively low self-discharge rate. They are widely used in many consumer electronic devices, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. Other types of batteries such as lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, and nickel-metal hydride batteries are still used in some applications but Li-ion batteries are increasingly becoming the standard for many applications due to their superior performance and cost-effectiveness.

Pros:

• High energy density, meaning they can store a lot of energy in a small space
• No memory effect, so they don't lose capacity over time when only partially charged
• Low self-discharge rate, so they retain their charge for longer periods of time when not in use
• Widely available and relatively inexpensive
• Lightweight and compact

Cons:

• Can be sensitive to high temperatures and may be damaged or catch fire if overheated
• Can be expensive to replace
• Ageing over time, which can reduce their overall capacity and performance
• Can be damaged by overcharging or over-discharging
• Not as durable as some other types of batteries, and can be damaged by physical impact.

Sodium Ion Batteries

Sodium-ion batteries are a type of rechargeable battery that use sodium ions as the charge-carrying species. They are similar to lithium-ion batteries, but use more abundant and less expensive sodium ions. This makes them a cost-effective alternative for certain applications such as grid energy storage and automotive. However, they currently have a lower energy density than lithium-ion batteries, so they are not as widely used in portable electronics and electric vehicles.

Pros:

• Similar chemistry to lithium, 
• Compatible with current Technologies, 
• Redox potential similar to lithium, resulting in similar battery voltages for charging and discharging, 
• Cheaper and more abundant than lithium.

Cons

• Weight - 3x heavier
• Lower energy density
• Still in the early research and development phase

Magnesium Ion Batteries

A magnesium ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses magnesium as the anode and a lithium-based cathode, such as lithium cobalt oxide. Magnesium is a cheaper and more abundant alternative to lithium, but it has a lower energy density, so the batteries typically have a lower capacity. They also tend to have a longer lifespan and are less prone to overheating than lithium-ion batteries. Magnesium-ion batteries are still in the research and development stage, and it is not yet widely available in the market.

Pros:

• More stable as metallic magnesium can be used as anode
• More abundant
• Does not suffer from dendritic growth
• Redox potential allows for high battery cell voltages

Cons:

• Metallic magnesium anodes form a passivated layer of insoluble salt by reacting with commonly used solvents and anions
• Slow kinetics and volume expansions
• Still in the early stage of laboratory testing

Zinc Ion Batteries

Zinc-ion batteries are a type of rechargeable battery that uses zinc as the anode and a metal oxide, such as manganese or cobalt, as the cathode. These batteries are similar to traditional zinc-carbon batteries, but with the addition of a metal oxide cathode, they have a higher energy density and longer lifespan. They also have a low cost and are considered to be a safe alternative to lithium-ion batteries, making them a promising technology for large-scale energy storage applications.

Pros

• Safer than lead-acid batteries
• Relatively easy dissolution and deposition
• Metallic Zinc anodes more stable that Mg
• Limited availability of Ni-Zn chemistry combination and production

Cons

• Theoretical gravimetric and redox potential low
• Anodes suffer from dendrite formation
• Electrolyte corrosion with certain battery cell designs

Aluminium Ion Batteries

Aluminum-ion batteries (Al-ion batteries) are a type of rechargeable battery that use aluminum as the anode and a lithium-based cathode. They have the potential to be a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Al-ion batteries have a higher energy density and can be charged and discharged more quickly than lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, aluminum is more abundant and less expensive than lithium, which could make Al-ion batteries more widely available and cost-effective. However, the technology is still in the research and development stage and more research is needed to improve their performance and commercialize the technology.

Pros

• Low cost and high abundance
• Redox reaction involves three electrons, meaning a potential high charge storage capacity
• Safe and environment friendly

Cons

• Lower voltage production than typical lithium batteries
• Reaction is sluggish and may need to work at high temperatures
• At a very early stage in research and development

Metal-Sulphur Batteries

A metal-sulfur battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses a metallic anode and a sulfur-based cathode. The anode is typically made of lithium or sodium, while the cathode is made of sulfur or a sulfur-based compound. These batteries are attractive because they have the potential to store a large amount of energy in a relatively small space, making them suitable for use in electric vehicles and other applications that require high energy density. Additionally, sulfur is abundant and inexpensive, which makes the production of metal-sulfur batteries relatively inexpensive. However, the development of practical metal-sulfur batteries has been hampered by a number of technical challenges, including limited cycle life and capacity fade.

Pros

• Potential of achieving a high theoretical capacity and energy density
• Sulphur is a relatively cheap and abundant source

Cons

• Rapid capacity fading due to sulphide dissolution and polysulphide shutting
• Early stage laboratory study and exploration. 
• Not yet a proven technology