Week 1 Understanding Different Battery Chemistry

Chemistry

Lithium Cobalt Oxide

Lithium Manganese Oxide

Lithium Nickel Manganese Oxide

Lithium Iron Phosphate

Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide

Lithium Titanate Oxide

Short form

Li-cobalt

Li-manganese

NMC

Li-phosphate

Li-aluminum

Li-titanate

Abbreviation

LiCoO₂
(LCO)

LiMn₂O₄
(LMO)

LiNiMnCoO₂ (NMC)

LiFePO₄
(LFP)

LiNiCoAlO₂ (NCA)

Li₂TiO₃ (common)
(LTO)

Anode Material

Graphite

Graphite

Graphite

Graphite

Graphite

Titanate

Anode Reaction

LiC₆ → C₆ + Li⁺ + e^-

LiC₆ → C₆ + Li⁺ + e^-

LiC₆ → C₆ + Li⁺ + e^-

LiC₆ → C₆ + Li⁺ + e^-

LiC₆ → C₆ + Li⁺ + e^-

Li4Ti5O12 + 4Li⁺ + 4e^- → 4Li2Mn2PO4

Cathode Reaction

CoO₂ + Li⁺ + e^- → LiCoO₂

4Mn2PO4 + 4Li⁺ + 4e^- → 4Li2Mn2PO4

Nominal voltage

3.60V

3.70V (3.80V)

3.60V (3.70V)

3.20, 3.30V

3.60V

2.40V

Full charge

4.20V

4.20V

4.20V (or higher)

3.65V

4.20V

2.85V

Full discharge

3.00V

3.00V

3.00V

2.50V

3.00V

1.80V

Minimal voltage

2.50V

2.50V

2.50V

2.00V

2.50V

1.50V (est.)

Specific Energy

150–200Wh/kg

100–150Wh/kg

150–220Wh/kg

90–120Wh/kg

200-260Wh/kg

70–80Wh/kg

Charge rate

0.7–1C (3h)

0.7–1C (3h)

0.7–1C (3h)

1C (3h)

1C

1C (5C max)

Discharge rate

1C (1h)

1C, 10C possible

1–2C

1C (25C pule)

1C

10C possible

Cycle life (ideal)

500–1000

300–700

1000–2000

1000–2000

500

3,000–7,000

Thermal runaway

150°C (higher when empty)

250°C (higher when empty)

210°C(higher when empty)

270°C (safe at full charge)

150°C (higher when empty)

One of safest
Li-ion batteries

Maintenance

Keep cool; store partially charged; prevent full charge cycles, use moderate charge and discharge currents

Packaging (typical)

18650, prismatic and pouch cell

prismatic

18650, prismatic and pouch cell

26650, prismatic

18650

prismatic

History

1991 (Sony)

1996

2008

1996

1999

2008

Applications

Mobile phones, tablets, laptops, cameras

Power tools, medical devices, powertrains

E-bikes, medical devices, EVs, industrial

Stationary with high currents and endurance

Medical, industrial,
EV (Tesla)

UPS, EV, solar street lighting

Comments

High energy, limited power. Market share has stabilized.

High power, less capacity; safer than Li-cobalt; often mixed with NMC to improve performance.

High capacity and high power. Market share is increasing. Also NCM, CMN, MNC, MCN

Flat discharge voltage, high power low capacity, very safe; elevated self-discharge.

Highest capacity with moderate power. Similar to Li-cobalt.

Long life, fast charge, wide temperature range and safe. Low capacity, expensive.