Week 1 Understanding Different Battery Chemistry

1. Comparison between different Lithium-Ion Batteries:

Contents	LCO (Lithium Cobalt Oxide)	LMO (Lithium Manganese Oxide)	NCA (Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide)	NMC (Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide)	LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate)	LTO (Lithium titanate)
Anode	Graphite	Graphite	Graphite	Graphite	Graphite	Lithium titanate (Li2TiO3)
Cathode	Lithium Cobalt Oxide	Lithium Manganese Oxide	Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide	Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide	Lithium Iron Phosphate	Lithium manganese oxide
Anode Chemical reactions	LixC6 à xLi++xe- + C6	LixC6 à xLi++xe- + C6	LixC6 à xLi++ xe- + C6	LixC6 à xLi+ + xe- + C6	LixC6 à xLi+ + xe- + C6	Li4Ti5O12 à Ti5O12+ 4Li+ + 4e-
Cathode Chemical reactions	Li1-xCoO2 + xLi+ + xe-à LiCoO2	Li1-xMn2O4 + xLi+ + xe-à LiMn2O4	Li1-xNiCoAlO2 + xLi+ + xe- à LiNiCoAlO2	NiMnCoO2 + Li+ +e- à LiNiMnCoO2	Li1-xFePO4 + xLi+ + xe- à LiFePO4	4Li1-xMn2O4 + 4Li+ + 4e- à 4LiMn2O4
Full reaction	LiC6 + CoO2 ßà C6 + Li + CoO2	LiC6 + Mn2O4 ßà C6 + LiMn2O4	LiC6 + NiCoAlO2 ßà C6+LiNiCoAlO2	LiC6 + NiMnCoO2 ßà C6 +LiNiMnCoO2	LiC6 + FePO4 ßà C6 + LiFePO4	Li2TiO3 + 2Mn2O4 ßà TiO3 + 2LiMn2O4
Applications	Phone batteries, tablets, laptops, cameras.	Power tools, electric powertrains,	Powertrain drives, medical devices.	E-bikes, medical devices, Charging stations.	E-bikes and cars, Solar powered lights.	UPS, solar-powered street lights.

Cell:

A cell is an electrochemical device that can store energy in the form of chemical energy. A cell works on the oxidation and reduction reaction of an electrolyte with metals. When two dissimilar metallic substances, called electrodes, are placed in a diluted electrolyte, oxidation and reduction reactions take place in the electrodes respectively depending upon the electron affinity of the metal of the electrodes. As a result of the oxidation reaction, one electrode gets negatively charged called cathode and due to the reduction reaction, another electrode gets positively charged called anode.

Battery:

A collection of cells connected in series or parallel or both to form a battery. Based on functionality, there are two types of batteries available in the market.

• Primary batteries - Not rechargeable
• Secondary batteries - Rechargeable

Lithium-ion batteries are a type of secondary battery and their types based on chemistry are shown below.

Types of Lithium-ion based on Chemistry:

Lithium Manganese Oxide (LiMn2O4) - LMO:

Lithium manganese oxide batteries are sometimes known as lithium manganate or lithium-ion manganese batteries, or li-manganese or manganese spinel batteries. The technology for this sort of battery was initially discovered in the 1980s, with the first publication in the Materials Research Bulletin in 1983.

High-temperature stability distinguishes lithium manganese oxide batteries from others. As a result, they’re frequently found in medical equipment and devices, but they can also be used in power tools, electric motorcycles, and other applications. Lithium manganese oxide batteries can also be used to power laptop computers and electric vehicles.

Lithium Cobalt oxides (LiCoO2) - LCO:

Lithium cobalt oxide batteries are manufactured from lithium carbonate and cobalt and are also known as lithium cobaltate or lithium-ion cobalt batteries. These batteries are used in cell phones, laptops, and electronic cameras because of their high specific energy. They have a cobalt oxide cathode and a graphite carbon anode, and lithium ions migrate from the anode to the cathode during discharge, with the flow reversing when the battery is charged.

This battery has a few disadvantages, including short battery life and low specific power. We also want to let you know that these batteries are not as safe as other varieties. Despite this, they are a popular choice for cell phones and other portable electronic devices because of their properties.

Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) - NMC:

Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide batteries, often known as NMC batteries, are constructed of a variety of materials that are universal in lithium-ion batteries. A cathode constructed of a mix of nickel, manganese, and cobalt is included.

NMC batteries, like other lithium-ion battery types, can have a high specific energy density or a high specific power. They can’t have both features together. This battery is most commonly seen in power tools and automobile powertrains.

60% nickel, 20% manganese, and 20% cobalt are commonly the cathode combination ratios. This means that the cost of the raw material is lower than for other lithium-ion battery solutions, as cobalt may be fairly costly. Because some battery manufacturers plan to convert their battery chemistry to a larger percentage of nickel to utilize less cobalt, the price of these batteries may drop even more in the future. Because of its low self-heating rate, this battery type is often used in electric vehicles.

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) - LFP:

Phosphate is used as a cathode in lithium iron phosphate batteries, often known as li-phosphate batteries. They have low resistance qualities, which improve their thermal stability and safety.

Durability and a long lifecycle are other advantages – fully charged batteries can be kept with no effect on the battery’s overall charge life. When the lengthy battery life of Li-phosphate batteries is considered, they are frequently the most cost-effective option. The lower voltage of the lithium-phosphate battery, on the other hand, means that it has less energy than other lithium batteries.

As a result, these batteries are frequently used in electric bikes and other applications requiring a long lifecycle and high levels of safety. These batteries are also commonly used in electric vehicles.

Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (LiNiCoAlO2) — NCA:

NCA batteries, or lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide batteries, are making their way into electric vehicles and grid storage.

Although NCA batteries are not widely used in consumer electronics, they have great potential in the automobile industry. NCA batteries offer a high-energy choice with a long lifespan, but they are less safe than other lithium-ion battery types and are rather expensive. To ensure driver safety, NCA batteries must be accompanied by monitoring systems.

Given the widespread use of NCA batteries in electric vehicles, demand for these batteries may increase as the number of electric vehicles grows.

Lithium Titanate (Li2TiO3) — LTO:

Lithium titanate, often known as li-titanate, is a type of battery that has a growing number of uses. Because of its superior nanotechnology, the lithium-titanate battery has an extremely rapid recharge time.

Li-titanate batteries are being employed by makers of electric vehicles and bicycles, and this type of battery has the potential to be used in electric buses for public transit. However, these batteries have a lower intrinsic voltage or energy density than other lithium-ion battery types, which might cause problems when it comes to efficiently powering automobiles. Despite this, lithium titanate batteries have a higher density than non-lithium-ion batteries, which is a benefit.

These batteries could be used for military and aerospace applications, as well as storing wind and solar energy and constructing smart grids.

2. Characteristics of different Lithium-ion batteries:

LMO: LCO: LMC: LFP: NCA: LTO:

Comparison:

Characteristics	LCO	LMO	NMC	LFP	NCA	LTO
Voltages	Nominal: 3.6 V Operating range: 3.0 - 4.2 V	Nominal: 3.7 V Operating range: 3.0 - 4.2 V	Nominal: 3.6 V Operating range: 3.0 - 4.2 V	Nominal: 3.2 V Operating range: 2.5 – 3.65 V	Nominal: 3.6 V Operating range: 3.0 - 4.2 V	Nominal: 2.4 V Operating range: 1.8 – 2.85 V
Specific energy (capacity)	Nominal: 150-200 Wh/kg. Up to 240 Wh/kg	Nominal: 100-150 Wh/kg.	Nominal: 150-220 Wh/kg.	Nominal: 90-120 Wh/kg.	Nominal: 200-260 Wh/kg. 300Wh/kg predictable	Nominal: 50-80 Wh/kg.
Charge (C-rate)	0.7–1C, charges to 4.20V (most cells); 3h charge typical. Charge current above 1C shortens battery life.	0.7–1C typical, 3C maximum, charges to 4.20V	0.7–1C, charges to 4.20V, some go to 4.30V; 3h charge typical. Charge current above 1C shortens battery life.	1C typical charges to 3.65V; 3h charge time typical	0.7C, charges to 4.20V (most cells), 3h charge typical, fast charge possible with some cells	1C typical; 5C maximum, charges to 2.85V
Discharge (C-rate)	1C; 2.50V cut off. Discharge current above 1C shortens battery life.	1C; 10C possible with some cells, 30C pulse (5s), 2.50V cut-off	1C; 2C possible on some cells; 2.50V cut-off	1C, 25C on some cells; 40A pulse (2s); 2.50V cut-off (lower than 2V causes damage)	1C typical; 3.00V cut-off; high discharge rate shortens battery life	10C possible, 30C 5s pulse; 1.80V cut-off on LCO/LTO
Cycle life	500-1000. Depends on the depth of discharge, load, and temperature	300-700. Depends on the depth of discharge, load, and temperature	1000-2000. Depends on the depth of discharge, load, and temperature	2000 and higher. Depends on the depth of discharge and temperature	500. Depends on depth of discharge and temperature	3,000–7,000
Thermal runaway	150°C (302°F). Full charge promotes thermal runaway	250°C (482°F) is typical. A high charge promotes thermal runaway	210°C (410°F) typical. A high charge promotes thermal runaway	270°C (518°F) Very safe battery even if fully charged	150°C (302°F) typical, High charge promotes thermal runaway	One of the safest Li-ion batteries
Special Characteristics	Very high specific energy, limited specific power.	High power but less capacity, safer than Li-cobalt. Mixed with NMC to improve performance.	Provides high capacity and high power. Serves as Hybrid Cell. Favorite chemistry for many uses	Very flat voltage discharge curve but low capacity. One of the safest Li-ions.	Shares similarities with Li-cobalt. Serves as Energy Cell.	Long life, fast charge, wide temperature range but low specific energy, and expensive.
Cost	Unknown	Unknown	~$420 per kWh	~$580 per kWh	~$350 per kWh	~$1,005 per kWh