Polymer-based batteries, however, have a more efficient charge/discharge process, resulting in improved theoretical rate performance and increased cyclability. To charge a polymer-based battery, a current is applied to oxidize the positive electrode and reduce the negative electrode.
Polymer-based batteries, including metal/polymer electrode combinations, should be distinguished from metal-polymer batteries, such as a lithium polymer battery, which most often involve a polymeric electrolyte, as opposed to polymeric active materials. Organic polymers can be processed at relatively low temperatures, lowering costs.
In order to engineer a battery pack it is important to understand the fundamental building blocks, including the battery cell manufacturing process. This will allow you to understand some of the limitations of the cells and differences between batches of cells. Or at least understand where these may arise.
Charge and discharge of a Li/radical polymer battery, consisting of a Li anode and nitroxide radical group polymer. This is an example of a semi polymer based battery, where only one electrode is polymeric.
In this testing setup, the metal acts as the anode and either n- or p-type polymer electrodes can be used as the cathode. When testing the n-type organic, this metal-polymer battery is charged upon assembly and the n-type material is reduced during discharge, while the metal is oxidized.
In a commercially available Li-ion battery, the Li+ ions are diffused slowly due to the required intercalation and can generate heat during charge or discharge. Polymer-based batteries, however, have a more efficient charge/discharge process, resulting in improved theoretical rate performance and increased cyclability.