Week 1 Understanding Different Battery Chemistry
Aim :
Prepare a table of lithium ion cells & Compare the differences between each type of Li+ion batteries based on their characteristics.
Objectives :
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 & detailed explanation on it
2.Compare the differences between each type of Li+ion batteries based on their characteristics
Lithium-ion Batteries :
Li-ion batteries have an unmatchable combination of high energy and power density, making it the technology of choice for portable electronics, power tools, and hybrid/full electric vehicles. If electric vehicles (EVs) replace the majority of gasoline
powered transportation, Li-ion batteries will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The high energy efficiency of Li-ion batteries may also allow their use in various electric grid applications, including improving the quality of energy harvested from wind, solar, geo-thermal and other renewable sources, thus contributing to their more widespread use and building an energy-sustainable economy. Therefore Li-ion batteries are of intense interest from both industry and government funding agencies, and research in this field has abounded in the recent years.
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have become the predominant energy storage means for off-grid solar products due to their high efficiency, low cost, high capacity, lack of memory effect, and long cycle life. Li-ion is an evolving technology, first marketed in the early 1990s, and research and development work is ongoing to improve safety, increase performance, and extend lifetime. This Technical Note is a 2019 update that describes the types of Li-ion batteries currently on the market, new technologies that promise substantial performance enhancements, and briefly outlines proper control methods, safety considerations, testing, and shipping protocols.
All battery cells have positive and negative terminals, and these are connected to internal electrodes (physical chemical structures) that store and release electrochemical energy that is used to drive an external electrical load. Li-ion batteries use a process known as intercalation, in which lithium ions∗ are incorporated into the structure of the electrode materials. Inside the cell, lithium ions move from the positive to the negative electrode during charging and from the negative to the positive electrode as the battery is discharged. Electrons move through an external circuit in the same direction as the lithium ions, driven by an external charger (when charging) or by the stored potential chemical energy (available to drive a load) when the battery is discharging.
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 :
The Comparison of Different type of six lithium-ion battery types & their characteristics :
that we will be comparing are Lithium Cobalt Oxide, Lithium Manganese Oxide, Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide, Lithium Iron Phosphate, Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide, and Lithium Titanate. Firstly, an understanding of the key terms below will allow for a simpler and easier comparison
Lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) :
Lithium cobalt oxide was the first widely commercialized cathode material and is still in common use in consumer products. LCO has high energy density but is not well suited for use in off-grid products because of lower cycle life and poorer safety. Nonetheless, LCO batteries are ubiquitous and still frequently used for these applications.
Lithium manganese oxide (LMO) :
Pure LMO batteries have good thermal stability and safety but lower cycle life; they have declined in commercial use and have been replaced by blending the manganese oxide with nickel and cobalt (NMC).
Nickel cobalt aluminum (NCA) :
Like LCO, NCA batteries have lower thermal stability than competing technologies. Their cost and cycle life also make them less attractive for off-grid products.
Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC, NCM) :
Different blends of nickel, manganese, and cobalt are a successful and promising approach for Li-ion batteries. The ratio of these three elements is sometimes listed in the electrode name – an equal mix would have the chemical formula LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 and be listed as NMC 1-1-1 or simply NMC 111. NMC blends offer combinations of good cycle life, safety, and high energy density. The ratios of elements can be tailored to emphasize qualities that target specific applications
including off-grid products.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) :
LiFePO4 batteries exhibit qualities that make them ideally suited for off-grid products where cost, safety, stability, and cycle life are primary requirements.3 They have lower energy density than competing Li-ion chemistries and a lower output voltage of 3.2V, but this is acceptable for most off-grid applications. Many successful off-grid products use LiFePO4 batteries.
Lithium titanate (LTO) :
Lithium titanate (LTO) anode materials can be used with LMO or NMC cathodes to make a Li-ion cell. LTO cells offers very high cycle life, excellent thermal stability, excellent safety, and good low temperature operation. However, they have much lower energy density than other Li-ion technologies and a low cell voltage of 2.4V.
It is important to note that the six types of lithium-ion batteries are compared relative to one another:
- SP stands for specific power
- SE stands for specific energy
- SF stands for safety
- LS stands for lifespan
- CS stands for cost
- PF stands for performance
- L stands for low
- M stands for moderate
- H stands for high
Lithium Cobalt Oxide has high specific energy as compared to the other batteries which make it the preferred choice for laptops and mobile phones.
Lithium Manganese Oxide has moderate specific power, moderate specific energy, and a moderate level of safety when compared to the other types of lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide has two major advantages as compared to the other batteries. The first one is its high specific energy which makes it desirable in electric powertrains, electric vehicles, and electric bikes.
Lithium Iron Phosphate only has one major disadvantage when compared to other types of lithium-ion batteries and that is its low specific energy.
Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide offers one strong advantage as compared to the five other batteries and that is high specific energy.
Lithium Titanate offers high safety, high performance, and a high lifespan which are very important features every battery should have.
Conclusion :
Sucessfully Discussed The Table of lithium ion cells & the differences between each type of Li+ion batteries based on their characteristics.