A Detailed Guide to Understanding the Working of Lithium Ion Prismatic Cell

A prismatic cell is the superior type of lithium cell that is ideal for a powerful battery. The prismatic li-ion cells are designed to offer more power and longer working life than the conventional battery options. 

If you need a battery that can handle even the most demanding applications, then a prismatic li-ion cell is the one!

Notably, there are two kinds of prismatic cells as per the placement of the electrode sheets inside the metal case. One is whose electrode sheet is stacked cells, and the other is rolled and flattened cells.

Comparatively, concerning equal volume, the stacked prismatic li-ion cell can release more energy at once, leading to better performance. In contrast, the flattened prismatic cell contains more energy and provides better durability.

These cells are less prevalent than cylindrical cells but have some significant advantages over them. They are better efficient than other cells because they are capable of supplying more power in a smaller package.

If you want to learn more details about the Lithium-ion prismatic cell, including its working, stay with us till the end of this blog!

What is a Lithium Ion Prismatic Cell?

The prismatic lithium cells are rectangular cells that are stacked in columns. They have a better power density than traditional battery cells. Such cells are enclosed in a rigid metal casing, specifically steel or aluminium, to provide enhanced stability.

There are several notable advantages of batteries having prismatic li-ion cells because of their unique construction. 

• Prismatic lithium batteries are very thin and lightweight. 
• The structured rectangular shape enables efficient layering of multiple units in a battery module. 
• It makes these cells stand out from the contemporary battery technologies available.

Such lithium cells are often used in energy storage systems and electric vehicles. The prismatic lithium batteries store energy by transforming chemical capacity into electrical current. So, how do these cells work? Let us discuss it!

How Does a Lithium Ion Prismatic Cell Work?

The prismatic lithium cell is a kind of rechargeable battery. It is utilised for powering small electronic devices like smartphones, medical equipment, and other energy storage systems.

A prismatic lithium cell is a type of electrochemical cell with Lithium-ion chemistry. It consists of three components: 

• an anode
• a cathode
• and a separator in between, which is packed with liquid electrolytes. 

The separator is composed of polypropylene, and the electrolyte is composed of propylene carbonate and Dimethoxyethane mixture. 

When the battery is put to use, these materials release electrons on being heated. It enables them to flow across an altered material called flyers into the device. When the battery gets discharged, the lithium ions move from the cathode to the anode via the electrolyte.

Multiple prismatic li-ion cells are encased in a mechanical structure in a series or parallel-type connection. The convenient and layered design of modern prismatic battery cells offers easy cell modularity. 

Remarkably, prismatic lithium cells are fabricated with a power range starting from several Ah intended for smartphones & laptops to hundreds of Ah intended for EV applications. These are ideal for various configurations with high power and performance equilibrium.

Are Lithium Ion Prismatic Cells Better Than Cylindrical Cells?

A lithium prismatic cell offers efficient utilisation of space. Yet, there are various factors to consider, like the type of device for which the battery is used and battery size. 

A Prismatic cell does not have widespread use like cylindrical cells. Though these cells have some specific advantages over cylindrical cells, as discussed below:

#1. Compact structure 

A Prismatic cell is more compact than cylindrical cells. 

• They can suitably help to power small devices. 
• Contrarily, cylindrical cells have the shape of a cylinder and occupy more area. 
• Due to the prismatic shape, these cells are very convenient for connecting four different cells to form structures like a 12-volt battery pack.

#2. Thin and Stackable

Prismatic li-ion cells are designed to have a thin rectangular body. These cells have a rigid casing of either steel or aluminium, which facilitates better layering of these li-ion cell batteries. 

These prismatic Li cell batteries usually offer a higher level of flexibility to the engineers while designing the products that use these batteries.

#3. Lesser Connections

As a prismatic cell is larger than cylindrical lithium cells. So, to gain a similar amount of energy, fewer prismatic li-ion cells are required. Hence, for a specific volume, batteries composed of prismatic cells have lesser electrical connections to be welded.

#4. Fewer Chances of Failure

These cells also are less prone to failure due to movement or vibration. This quality makes these prismatic ones appropriate for use in portable electronic devices like cell phones, digital clocks, and more. These offer better stability and are less dangerous. 

Cost Of Prismatic Cells: Are They Expensive?

The cylindrical lithium cells are the most widely used option because of their inexpensive price; they help keep the final costs low. 

In contrast, prismatic lithium cells are expensive to properly design and manufacture. The high cost is then passed on to the customers. Hence, these are commonly utilised for making small batteries for smaller devices, such as phones and tablets. 

Conclusion

The use of prismatic lithium batteries has become more popular in recent years. Remarkably, the prismatic cell battery is considered more efficient and durable than the conventional battery options. 

With more surface area than the commonly preferred cylindrical lithium cells, the prismatic cells have more energy capacity for usage in EVs and offer more power storage for home energy requirements. 

Though over the past years, the cylindrical battery type has been the most widespread, several factors show that prismatic lithium cells may take over in the near future.

FAQs

Q. Why does a prismatic cell battery offer a longer cycle life than other types of rechargeable batteries?

The prismatic cell battery has a high power density and better life cycle because of how these cells are stacked. In a prismatic lithium battery, the cells are layered in series, which facilitates them to get more completely discharged and charged.

Q. What are some common applications of prismatic cell batteries?

The lithium-ion prismatic cell batteries are usually used in smartphones, tablets, and other types of small to medium, electronic devices for which mobility is a significant consideration.

With stability and efficient utilisation of space due to its better layering than other options, the present-day prismatic batteries are also being used in larger crucial applications like electric vehicles and energy storage systems. They can produce much more energy for electric vehicles than traditional li-ion cell batteries.

Q. Which manufacturers produce prismatic lithium cell batteries?

Some notable battery manufacturers that produce prismatic lithium batteries are listed here:

• Panasonic
• Samsung SDI
• Johnson Controls
• Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL)
• LG Chem
• Build Your Dreams (BYD)