What is a 1.5V Lithium Battery?

A 1.5V lithium battery is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that maintains a constant voltage of 1.5V throughout its entire discharge cycle without any drop. Internally, it uses a 3.6V lithium-ion cell, and through built-in circuitry, it regulates the output voltage to achieve 1.5V. This design provides strong power capabilities, making it ideal for devices that demand high current and voltage.

1.5V lithium batteries also support fast charging. For example, a single AA battery with a capacity of 3300mWh can fully charge in about 2 hours, whereas traditional nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries may take around 10 hours.

Types of 1.5V Batteries

1. No. 1 Battery (D-type)

• Voltage: 1.5V
• Current: 1A
• Dimensions: Diameter 32.2mm, Height 59mm
• Short-circuit current: 1.5–2A

2. No. 5 Battery (AA-type)

• Most commonly disposable alkaline batteries
• Voltage: 1.5V
• Capacity: 600–700 mAh (for alkaline)
• Rechargeable variants include NiMH, NiCd (phased out), and iron lithium batteries
• NiMH: up to 2700mAh at 1.2V
• Iron lithium: up to 3000mAh at 3.2V

3. No. 7 Battery (AAA-type)

• Dimensions: Height 43.6 ±0.5mm, Diameter 10.1 ±0.2mm
• Types: dry cells, lithium batteries, NiMH, NiCd
• Common alkaline AAA batteries (e.g., LR03)
• Voltage: 1.5V, Capacity: ~1300mAh

Note: No. 5 batteries generally exceed 1600mAh, while No. 7 batteries usually do not exceed 900mAh.

Can 1.5V and 1.2V Batteries Be Interchanged?

It depends on the device. Devices with higher voltage requirements may not operate efficiently with 1.2V batteries. The key difference is that 1.2V batteries are rechargeable, while 1.5V batteries can be either rechargeable or disposable, depending on the type.

Advantages of 1.5V Lithium-Ion Batteries

Modern devices require reliable, rechargeable power sources. Disposable batteries are becoming less popular as many devices rely on electricity, making rechargeable lithium-ion batteries more practical and cost-effective.

Compared to NiMH batteries:

• Capacity does not fluctuate with charge state
• After repeated charging cycles, 1.5V lithium-ion batteries maintain about 80% capacity after 500–1000 cycles
• Reduce long-term operational costs

Before lithium-ion batteries, disposable alkaline batteries powered 1.5V devices. Lithium-ion batteries quickly replaced them due to rechargeability, eliminating the need for repeated battery replacements.

Environmental benefits:

• Reduce spent battery waste
• Minimize toxic materials such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel in the environment
• Recyclable and more sustainable than disposable alternatives

Applications of 1.5V Lithium-Ion Batteries

1.5V lithium-ion batteries are widely used in daily life, powering:

• Small electronic devices (AA/AAA lithium-ion batteries)
• Household appliances
• Vehicles
• Hybrid and renewable energy storage systems

As the world shifts toward green energy from fossil fuels, 1.5V lithium-ion batteries will play an increasingly critical role. They are rechargeable up to 500–1000 times, which is roughly equivalent to 1000 disposable batteries, making them both economical and environmentally friendly.

Advancements in 1.5V Lithium-Ion Batteries

Ongoing research is improving the performance of 1.5V lithium batteries through new chemistries and designs, including:

• Lithium-sulfur
• Lithium-air
• Sodium-ion batteries
• Solid-state lithium batteries
• Lithium-ion solar batteries for higher energy density, lighter weight, and longer lifespan

These advancements allow 1.5V lithium-ion batteries to integrate with solar photovoltaics and other renewable energy technologies, further supporting sustainable energy solutions.