En-El9 Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery Information

En-El9 rechargeable Li-ion batteries are in high demand owing to the growing popularity of digital cameras. They are also used in several electronic consumer products. These high-end batteries are manufactured and marketed by Nikon and use lithium technology. It is a high capacity battery that is compatible with Nikon D40 and Nikon D40x SLR digital cameras. You can take up to 480 shots with a single charge.

Basic Description

• Li-ion (or lithium-ion) batteries are rechargeable. The lithium ions migrate from the negative to the positive electrode during discharge and vice versa while being charged. These batteries are also called secondary batteries or storage batteries as their electrochemical reactions are reversible. They are favorites for aerospace, military and electric vehicle applications.

Advantages

• En-El9 rechargeable batteries lose their charge very slowly when not in use. Other advantages of the batteries include: good energy-to-weight ratios and durability; low cost; their eco-friendliness; and their safety.

Components

• Li-ion batteries consist of three main components. The anode is generally made of graphite, the cathode is made of lithium cobalt oxide or lithium iron phosphate, and the electrolyte consists of diethyl carbonate or ethylene carbonate which contains complexes of lithium ions. Lithium ions move from the anode to the cathode during discharge. The flow is reversed during charging.

Other Features

• Nanotechnology has recently made a revolutionary improvement in the performance of the Li-ion battery. Particle density has been decreased 100 times, thus increasing the surface area of the cathode. This enhances the voltage, capacity, durability and safety of batteries manufactured with traditional technology. As the advancement in nanotechnology continues, greater efficiency is foreseen in Li-ion batteries.

Battery Life

• The length of time your battery will power your devices depends on how you use it. These batteries should never be fullly discharged; discharging beyond a limit as specified by the manufacturer will result in deterioration of the battery.

Precautions

• These batteries are very safe to use yet certain precautions should be taken while handling them. For example, if they are exposed to direct sunlight for long durations or are kept under high temperatures they may catch fire or explode.