30-second summary
Types of Batteries
An electric battery is essentially a source of DC electrical energy. It converts stored chemical energy into electrical energy through an electrochemical process. This then provides a source of electromotive force to enable currents to flow in electric and electronic circuits. A typical battery consists of one or more voltaic cells.
The following list summarizes notable electric battery types composed of one or more electrochemical cells. Four lists are provided in the table. The first list is a battery classification by size and format. Then, the primary (non-rechargeable) and secondary (rechargeable) cell lists are lists of battery chemistry. The third list is a list of battery applications. The final list is a list of different battery voltages.
Today, one of the most common batteries is the lithium-ion battery. One of the most common types of cells is the 18650 battery, which is used in many laptop computer batteries, cordless power tools, certain electric cars, electric kick scooters, most e-bikes, portable powerbanks, and LED flashlights.
An electric battery is essentially a source of DC electrical energy. It converts stored chemical energy into electrical energy through an electrochemical process. This then provides a source of electromotive force to enable currents to flow in electric and electronic circuits. A typical battery consists of one or more voltaic cells.
The fundamental principle in an electrochemical cell is spontaneous redox reactions in two electrodes separated by an electrolyte, which is a substance that is ionic conductive and electrically insulated.
Chemical energy can be stored, for example, in Zn or Li, which are high-energy metals because they are not stabilized by d-electron bonding, unlike transition metals. Even though a wide range of types of batteries exists with different combinations of materials, all of them use the same principle of the oxidation-reduction reaction. Batteries are designed so that the energetically favorable redox reaction can occur only when electrons move through the external part of the circuit.
The voltage of electric batteries is created by the potential difference of the materials that compose the positive and negative electrodes in the electrochemical reaction. Because most of the resulting voltages are around 2V, cells are connected in series to obtain more practical electrical potentials (i.e. six 2V lead acid cells are connected in series to obtain a typical 12V battery).
Batteries are made of an extensive range of materials resulting in different capabilities and behaviors in the functionality of the battery. The most common ones are lead, nickel, and lithium, each of them with different outputs and specific for some different purposes depending on the requirements.
Types of Batteries
The following list is a summary of notable electric battery types composed of one or more electrochemical cells. Four lists are provided in the table. The first list is a battery classification by size and format. Then, the primary (non-rechargeable) and secondary (rechargeable) cell lists are lists of battery chemistry. The third list is a list of battery applications. The final list is a list of different battery voltages.
Sizes
- AA battery
- AAA battery
- AAAA battery
- C battery
- D battery
- cr1220 battery
- cr1620 battery
- cr1632 battery
- cr1616 battery
- cr2016 battery
- cr2032 battery
- cr2025 battery
- cr2430 battery
- cr2450 battery
- cr123 battery
- cr2 battery
- cr132a battery
- lr1130 battery
- lr41 battery
- lr44 battery
- A23 battery
- a13 battery
- 18650 battery
- 21700 battery
Frequently asked questions
There are two basic types of batteries: primary and secondary. Primary batteries are “single use” and cannot be recharged. Dry cells and (most) alkaline batteries are examples of primary batteries. The second type is rechargeable and is called a secondary battery.
In practice, the alkaline batteries and the rechargeable batteries can be used interchangeably in sets. They have only different voltage characteristics. It is given by their different chemistry. Primary cells gradually drop in voltage from use, they start at 1.5 volts, drop to 1.2 and continue to 1.0 where the appliance stops working. Secondary cells operate more uniformly even with only 1.2 volts, they have flat discharge where they pretty much stay at 1.2 volts until depleted and then drop off very quickly to below 1.0 volts.
Today, one of the most common batteries is the lithium-ion battery. Li-ion batteries, in general, have a high energy density, no memory effect, and low self-discharge. One of the most common types of cells is 18650 battery, which is used in many laptop computer batteries, cordless power tools, certain electric cars, electric kick scooters, most e-bikes, portable powerbanks, and LED flashlights.
