Week 1 Understanding Different Battery Chemistry
Comparison of Lithium Cell Chemistries:
| Cell | Cathode Material | Anode Material | Structure | Characteristics | Specific Energy (Wh/kg) | Cost per Kg | Thermal Runaway | Charge Rate | Discharge Rate | Reason for Choosing the Materials | Applications |
| LCO | Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LiCoO2) | Graphite | Layered | High specific energy, moderate specific power, limited life span | 150-200 | $420 | 150°C | 0.7-1C | 1C | Cobalt provides stability; Graphite offers stable lithium intercalation/deintercalation cycles | Mobile phones, laptops, cameras |
| LMO | Lithium Manganese Oxide (LiMn2O4) | Graphite | Spinel | Moderate specific energy, good specific power, enhanced safety | 100-150 | $400 | 250°C | 0.7-1C | 1C | Manganese's spinel structure allows high current ratings and improved ion flow; Graphite offers stable lithium intercalation/deintercalation cycles | Power tools, electric vehicles, medical devices |
| NMC | Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) | Graphite | Layered | High specific energy, high specific power, long cycle life | 150-220 | $420 | 210°C | 0.7-1C | 1C | Nickel provides high specific energy; Manganese stabilizes structure with spinel formation; Cobalt stabilizes nickel | Electric vehicles, power tools, medical devices |
| LFP | Lithium Iron Phosphate(LiFePO4) | Graphite | Olivine | Excellent safety, long cycle life, moderate specific energy | 90-120 | $580 | 270°C | 1C | 1C, 25C (some cells) | Phosphate offers excellent safety and thermal stability; Graphite offers stable lithium intercalation/deintercalation cycles | Energy storage, electric vehicles |
| NCA | Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (LiNiCoAlO2) | Graphite | Layered | High specific energy, high specific power, moderate cost | 200-260 | $350 | 150°C | 0.7C | 1C | Aluminum provides stability and enhances performance; Nickel provides high specific energy; Cobalt stabilizes nickel | Electric vehicles, medical devices, industrial |
| LTO | Can be LMO or NMC | Lithium Titanate | Spinel | Excellent safety, long cycle life, fast charging | 50-80 | $1,005 | One of the safest Li-ion batteries | 1C | 10C (possible), 30C (5s pul | Titanate provides excellent safety and thermal stability; Lithium Titanate offers stable lithium intercalation/deintercalation cycles | Electric powertrains, UPS, solar-powered street lighting |
Cathode and anode cell Reactions:
