Week 1 Understanding Different Battery Chemistry

1.Prepare a table which includes materials & chemical reactions occurring at the anode and cathode of LCO, LMO, NCA, NMC, LFP and LTO type of lithium ion cells.Give your detailed explanation on it

Batteries are a collection of one or more cells whose chemical reactions create a flow of electrons in a circuit. All batteries are made up of three basic components: an anode (the -ve side), a cathode (the +ve side), and electrolyte (a substance that chemically reacts with the anode and cathode).Electrolyte is a medium that permits ionic condution between eletrodes

There are two types of batteries:

Primary : Single discharge/One time use/ non chargeable

- Size : AA & AAA , Chemical  to  Electrical

- Lithium Ion Battery

- Low Cost

Secondary: Rechargeable and can be used multiple times.

- Consumer application & Automotive

- Chemical to Electrical and Eletrical to Chemical.

- Reverse chemical process when eletrical energy is converted to chemical energy.

Lithium ion cell: 

Lithium ion battery are secondary battery and can be recharged for further use.

It has the 4 main components :

Cathode: 

They are positive eletroode of the cell

The cathode eletrode are usually made of 

Layered Transition metal oxides - High Capacity, High in cost, Poor safety.

Spinels - High Power density but poor conductivity and stability.

Olivines - Limited capacity but has long battery life and high safety.

Anodes :

They are negative electrode of the cell.

The anode is usually made of 

Graphite

Hard carbon - these anodes are less in cost and high stability and specific capacity.

Electroyte :

Electrolyte is an ionic conductor that provides the medium for ionic charge transfer between electrodes.

Liquid solvent contain dissolves chemical. generally lithium ion cells have eletrolyte of organic solvent such as Ethylene carbonate, Propylene carbonate and litjium salt as solute.

Seperator :

Seperator physically isolates the positive and negative eletrodes. An ionic conductor but an insulation. It prevents short circuiting between the two eletrodes. Current collectors are eletronic conductors with which the eletrode are mixed. Takes no part in chemical reaction of the cell but instead either allow simple eletronic connection to reduce the eletronic resistance of an eletrode. 

Lithium ion cells use polyolefin as a seperator. This material has excellent mechanical properties, good chemical stability and low cost.

Types of litium ion Batteries:

1) Lithium ion Cobalt oxide - 

lithium cobalt oxide batteries are made from lithium carbonate and cobalt. Due to their very high specific energy. These batteries are used for cell phones, laptops and electronic cameras. They have a cobalt oxide cathode and use graphite carbon as their anode material; during discharge, lithium ions move from anode to cathode, with the flow reversing when the battery is charging. They have short battery life and limited specific power and relatively less safe than other types.

2)Lithium Mangenese Oxide -

Lithium manganese oxide batteries are also commonly called lithium manganate or lithium-ion manganese batteries and are sometimes referred to as li-manganese or manganese spinel. Lithium manganese oxide batteries are notable for their high temperature stability and are also safer than other lithium-ion battery types. For this reason, they are often used in medical equipment and devices, but they may also be used in power tools, electric bikes and more. It is also possible to use lithium manganese oxide batteries to power laptops and electric powertrain cars.

3) Lithium Iron Phosphaste -

Lithium iron phosphate batteries, also known as li-phosphate batteries, use phosphate as a cathode. They benefit from low resistance properties, which enhance their safety and thermal stability.Other benefits include durability and a long lifecycle — fully charged batteries can be stored with little change to the total lifespan of the battery’s charge. Li-phosphate batteries are often the most cost-effective option as well when their long battery life is taken into consideration. However, the lower voltage of the li-phosphate battery means that it has less energy than other types of lithium batteries. These batteries are often used in electric motorcycles as well as other applications that need a long lifecycle and significant safety. Electric vehicles often use these batteries as well.

4)Lithium Nikel Manganese Cobalt Oxide -

Also known as lithium manganese cobalt oxide or NMC batteries, lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide batteries are made of several materials common in lithium-ion battery types. They include a cathode made of a combination of nickel, manganese and cobalt. Like other lithium-ion battery varieties, NMC batteries can have either a high specific energy density or a high specific power. They cannot, however, have both properties. This battery type is most common in power tools and in powertrains for vehicles.

The cathode combination ratio is usually 60 percent nickel, 20 percent manganese and 20 percent cobalt. This means that the raw material cost is lower than it is for other lithium-ion battery options, as cobalt can be quite expensive. These batteries may come down in price further in the future, as some battery makers are planning to switch their battery chemistry to a higher percentage of nickel so that they can use less cobalt. This battery type is commonly preferred for electric vehicles due to its very low self-heating rate.

5) Lithium Nickel Cobalt aluminium oxide -

Lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide batteries are also called NCA batteries, and are becoming increasingly important in electric powertrains and in grid storage. NCA batteries are not common in the consumer industry, but are promising for the automotive industry. NCA batteries provide a high-energy option with a good lifespan, but they are not as safe as they could be compared to other lithium-ion battery types and are quite costly. NCA batteries must be accompanied by monitoring devices to ensure driver safety. Given the consistent use of NCA batteries in electric vehicles, it is possible that demand for these batteries will rise as electric vehicles become more common.

6) Lithium Titanate -

Lithium titanate, also known as li-titanate, is a class of battery that allows for ever-increasing applications. The main advantage of the li-titanate battery is its remarkably fast recharge time, thanks to its advanced nanotechnology. Currently, manufacturers of electric vehicles and bikes use li-titanate batteries, and there is potential for this type of battery to be used in electric buses for public transportation. However, these batteries have lower inherent voltage, or lower energy density, than other lithium-ion battery varieties, which can present issues with powering vehicles efficiently. Even so, the density of lithium titanate batteries is still higher than other non-lithium-ion batteries, which is a plus. Applications for these batteries can include military and aerospace uses, and they may also be used for storing wind and solar energy and creating smart grids. Furthermore, Battery Space suggests these batteries could also be used in system-critical backups for power systems

Comaprison Table :

Li-ion Cell Type	Cathode	Anode	Seperator	Reaction at cathode & anode	Application
LCO	Lithium ion cobalt oxide	Ethylene carbonate +Li salt	Polyolefin	Li1 -xCoO2(s)+Li+xe  -= LiCoO2(s)	Mobile, Laptop, Cameras
LMO	Graphite carbon	Methyl carbonate + Li salt	Polyolefin	Mn2+ +2LiC6 = Mn+2Li++graphite	Power tools, Medical devices, Eletric Powertrain.
NCA	Graphite carbon	Propylene carbonate +Li salt	Polyolefin	Li(1-x)NiO2 = (2-x)Li(1-x)/(2-x)Ni1/(2-x)O+x/2O2	Medical Device, Indutrail & eletric power train.
NMC	Lithium metal Graphite	Methyl carbonate + Li salt	Polyolefin	Li(x)MO2(s) = Li+(org)+Li(x-1)MO2(s)+e-	E bikes, E vehilces, Medical Devices.
LFP	Graphite carbon	Propylene carbonate +Li salt	Polyolefin	LiFeII PO4 = FeIIIPO4+Li+ + e-	Portable and staionery needing high load current and endurance.
LTO	Lithium titanium oxide	Propylene carbonate +Li salt	Polyolefin	Li4Ti5o12+3Li+ +3e =4Li7Ti5O12	UPS, Eletric Powertain etc.

Charcteristics of different types of Lithium ion Batteries: