Week 1 Understanding Different Battery Chemistry

Aim1:

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

Ans:

Li-ion batteries:

A lithium-ion battery or Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery. Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used for portable electronics and electric vehicles and are growing in popularity for military and aerospace applications.

Similar to the lead- and nickel-based architecture, lithium-ion uses a cathode (positive electrode), an anode (negative electrode) and electrolyte as conductor. The cathode is a metal oxide and the anode consists of porous carbon. During discharge, the ions flow from the anode to the cathode through the electrolyte and separator; charge reverses the direction and the ions flow from the cathode to the anode.

Types of Li-ion batteries:

Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LiCoO2) — LCO
Its high specific energy makes Li-cobalt the popular choice for mobile phones, laptops and digital cameras. The battery consists of a cobalt oxide cathode and a graphite carbon anode. The cathode has a layered structure and during discharge, lithium ions move from the anode to the cathode. The flow reverses on charge. The drawback of Li-cobalt is a relatively short life span, low thermal stability and limited load capabilities (specific power).

Lithium Manganese Oxide (LiMn2O4) — LMO
Li-ion with manganese spinel was first published in the Materials Research Bulletin in 1983. In 1996, Moli Energy commercialized a Li-ion cell with lithium manganese oxide as cathode material. The architecture forms a three-dimensional spinel structure that improves ion flow on the electrode, which results in lower internal resistance and improved current handling. A further advantage of spinel is high thermal stability and enhanced safety, but the cycle and calendar life are limited.

Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminium Oxide (LiNiCoAlO2) — NCA
Lithium nickel cobalt aluminium oxide battery, or NCA, has been around since 1999 for special applications. It shares similarities with NMC by offering high specific energy, reasonably good specific power and a long-life span. Less flattering are safety and cost. NCA is a further development of lithium nickel oxide; adding aluminium gives the chemistry greater stability.

Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) — NMC
One of the most successful Li-ion systems is a cathode combination of nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC). Similar to Li-manganese, these systems can be tailored to serve as Energy Cells or Power Cells. For example, NMC in an 18650 cell for moderate load condition has a capacity of about 2,800mAh and can deliver 4A to 5A; NMC in the same cell optimized for specific power has a capacity of only about 2,000mAh but delivers a continuous discharge current of 20A.

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) — LFP
Li-phosphate offers good electrochemical performance with low resistance. This is made possible with nano-scale phosphate cathode material. The key benefits are high current rating and long cycle life, besides good thermal stability, enhanced safety and tolerance if abused. Li-phosphate is more tolerant to full charge conditions and is less stressed than other lithium-ion systems if kept at high voltage for a prolonged time. As a trade-off, its lower nominal voltage of 3.2V/cell reduces the specific energy below that of cobalt-blended lithium-ion.

Lithium Titanate (Li2TiO3) — LTO
Batteries with lithium titanate anodes have been known since the 1980s. Li-titanate replaces the graphite in the anode of a typical lithium-ion battery and the material forms into a spinel structure. The cathode can be lithium manganese oxide or NMC. Li-titanate has a nominal cell voltage of 2.40V, can be fast charged and delivers a high discharge current of 10C, or 10 times the rated capacity. The cycle count is said to be higher than that of a regular Li-ion. Li-titanate is safe, has excellent low-temperature discharge characteristics and obtains a capacity of 80 percent at –30°C.

Table showing the chemical reaction at the anode, cathode and overall reactions of all the types of the Li-ion batteries:

Aim2:

Compare the differences between each type of Li-ion batteries based on their characteristics

Ans:

Name	Voltage	Specific Energy	Charge (C-rate)	Discharge (C-rate)	Cycle life	Thermal runaway	Applications	Comment
1. Lithium Cobalt oxide (LCO)	3.6V nominal; Ranges from 3.2-4.2V/cell	150-200Wh/kg.	0.7-1C; 2.50V cut-off. Discharge current above 1C shortens battery life	1C; 2.50V cut off. Discharge current above 1C shortens battery life.	500–1000, related to the depth of discharge, load, temperature	150°C (302°F). Full charge promotes thermal runaway	Mobile phones, tablets, laptops, cameras	Very high specific energy, limited specific power. Cobalt is expensive. Serves as Energy Cell. Market share has stabilized.
2. Lithium Manganese Oxide (LMO)	3.70V (3.80V) nominal; typical operating range 3.0–4.2V/cell	100–150Wh/kg	0.7–1C typical, 3C maximum, charges to 4.20V (most cells)	1C; 10C possible with some cells, 30C pulse (5s), 2.50V cut-off	300–700 (related to the depth of discharge, temperature)	250°C (482°F) typical. High charge promotes thermal runaway	Power tools, medical devices, electric powertrains	High power but less capacity; safer than Li-cobalt; commonly mixed with NMC to improve performance.
3. Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminium Oxide (NCA)	3.60V nominal; typical operating range 3.0–4.2V/cell	200-260Wh/kg; 300Wh/kg predictable	0.7C charges to 4.20V (most cells), 3h charge typical, fast charge possible with some cells	1C typical; 3.00V cut-off; high discharge rate shortens battery life	500 (related to the depth of discharge, temperature)	150°C (302°F) typical, High charge promotes thermal runaway	Medical devices, industrial, electric powertrain (Tesla) Serves as Energy Cell.	Shares similarities with Li-cobalt
4. Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC)	3.60V, 3.70V nominal; typical operating range 3.0–4.2V/cell, or higher	150–220Wh/kg	0.7–1C, charges to 4.20V, some go to 4.30V; 3h charge typical. Charge current above 1C shortens battery life.	1C; 2C possible on some cells; 2.50V cut-off	1000–2000 (related to the depth of discharge, temperature)	210°C (410°F) typical. High charge promotes thermal runaway	E-bikes, medical devices, EVs, industrial	Provides high capacity and high power. Serves as Hybrid Cell. Favourite chemistry for many uses; market share is increasing.
5. Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP)	3.20, 3.30V nominal; typical operating range 2.5–3.65V/cell	90–120Wh/kg	1C typical charges to 3.65V; 3h charge time typical	1C, 25C on some cells; 40A pulse (2s); 2.50V cut-off (lower than 2V causes damage)	2000 and higher (related to the depth of discharge, temperature)	270°C (518°F) Very safe battery even if fully charged	Portable and stationary needing high load currents and endurance	Very flat voltage discharge curve but low capacity. One of safest Li-ions. Used for special markets. Elevated self-discharge.