 There are three types of lithium batteries: Lithium Manganese Dioxide, which is a primary battery, and Lithium-Ion and Lithium-Ion-Polymer, which are secondary batteries.
The major advantages of lithium manganese batteries over alkaline batteries are their high energy and power density, good storage life and discharge performance. Lithium manganese batteries are found in a variety of shapes, with the most common being the button cells and the cylindrical batteries. The image at top right is a typical button cell or round lithium manganese battery.
  Cylindrical lithium batteries are either solid-core (as at left) or wound (as at right). Additional information and a more detailed cutaway view are available by clicking on the image. Lithium primary batteries are available in a wide variety of electrochemical and physical configurations. They find use in cardiac pacemakers, in CMOS (complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor) memory storage, powering LCD's in watches, calculators and in other military and medical applications.
Their dependability and usefulness rests squarely on solid performance. Because of lithium manganese oxide's stability, these batteries can be stored for several years. Operating temperatures have little effect on operating characteristics because the cell is so efficient. Lithium batteries offer twice the voltage of other button cell batteries. And their small size, light weight, and high energy density make them perfect for applications that require high drain or pulse discharge over a broad temperature range. They also provide excellent performance at low temperatures, making them ideal for use in outdoor wireless weather devices. Also, storage life is outstanding because their self discharge is so very low.
Battery technologists have long been aware that lithium has the highest potential on the emf-scale as well as a low equivalent weight. This makes it a good anode candidate for a high-density battery, but it was not until a manufacturing process was developed to electroplate lithium for use as an anode that the lithium battery became a commercial product.
Lithium Manganese Dioxide Battery Characteristics
| Type |
Primary |
| Chemical Reaction |
Li + MnO2 --> LiMnO2 |
| Operating Temperature |
-40º F to 140º F ( -40º C to 60º C). Best for extreme temperatures. |
| Recommended for |
Outdoor use (requiring a low temperature range) and for high-discharge devices, which include (but are not limited to):digital cameras, RC cars, portable power tools, heavy-use flashlights, CB walkie-talkies, FRS radios, portable televisions, handheld video games, portable audio systems (such as boomboxes), CD players, MP3 players, appliances, shavers, and toothbrushes. |
| Initial Voltage |
3.0 (button cell), 1.5 (cylindrical), 9 (rectangular) |
| Capacity |
Varies |
| Discharge Rate |
Flat |
| Internal Resistance |
Low and stable |
| Impedance |
Low and constant |
| Storage Life |
Good shelf life; loses 0.5% per year. |
| Storage Temperature |
-40º F to 140º F ( -40º C to 60º C) |
| Disposal |
Not recyclable; check with your local authority (city/county/parish) for proper disposal. |
Lithium Manganese Dioxide Battery Datasheets
Data
sheet |
Battery Size |
Minimum
Capacity |
RadioShack
Cat. No. |
Quantity
Per Pack |
 |
1/2 AA |
950 mAh |
23-267 |
2 |
|
