Primary battery chemistries
Chemistry↓ Nominal Cell
Voltage↓ Specific Energy [MJ/kg]↓ Elaboration↓
Zinc–carbon 1.5 0.13 Inexpensive.
Zinc–chloride 1.5 Also known as "heavy duty", inexpensive.
Alkaline
(zinc–manganese dioxide) 1.5 0.4-0.59 Moderate energy density.
Good for high and low drain uses.
Oxy nickel hydroxide
(zinc–manganese dioxide/oxy nickel hydroxide) 1.7 Moderate energy density.
Good for high drain uses
Lithium
(lithium–copper oxide)
Li–CuO 1.7 No longer manufactured.
Replaced by silver oxide (IEC-type "SR") batteries.
Lithium
(lithium–iron disulfide)
LiFeS2 1.5 Expensive.
Used in 'plus' or 'extra' batteries.
Lithium
(lithium–manganese dioxide)
LiMnO2 3.0 0.83-1.01 Expensive.
Only used in high-drain devices or for long shelf life due to very low rate of self discharge.
'Lithium' alone usually refers to this type of chemistry.
Mercury oxide 1.35 High drain and constant voltage.
Banned in most countries because of health concerns.
Zinc–air 1.35–1.65 1.59 Mostly used in hearing aids.
Silver-oxide (silver–zinc) 1.55 0.47 Very expensive.
Only used commercially in 'button' cells.
Rechargeable battery chemistries
Chemistry↓ Cell
Voltage↓ Specific Energy
[MJ/kg]↓ Comments↓
NiCd 1.2 0.14 Inexpensive.
High/low drain, moderate energy density.
Can withstand very high discharge rates with virtually no loss of capacity.
Moderate rate of self discharge.
Reputed to suffer from memory effect (which is alleged to cause early failure).
Environmental hazard due to Cadmium - use now virtually prohibited in Europe.
Lead acid 2.1 0.14 Moderately expensive.
Moderate energy density.
Moderate rate of self discharge.
Higher discharge rates result in considerable loss of capacity.
Does not suffer from memory effect.
Environmental hazard due to Lead.
Common use - Automobile batteries
NiMH 1.2 0.36 Inexpensive.
Performs better than alkaline batteries in higher drain devices.
Traditional chemistry has high energy density, but also a high rate of self-discharge.
Newer chemistry has low self-discharge rate, but also a ~25% lower energy density.
Very heavy. Used in some cars.
NiZn 1.6 0.36 Moderately inexpensive.
High drain device suitable.
Low self-discharge rate.
Voltage closer to alkaline primary cells than other secondary cells.
No toxic components.
Newly introduced to the market (2009). Has not yet established a track record.
Limited size availability.
Lithium ion 3.6 0.46 Very expensive.
Very high energy density.
Not usually available in "common" battery sizes (but see RCR-V3 for a counter-example).
Very common in laptop computers, moderate to high-end digital cameras and camcorders, and cellphones.
Very low rate of self discharge.
Volatile: Chance of explosion if short circuited, allowed to overheat, or not manufactured with rigorous quality standards.