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Lithium-ion batteries have become a mainstay in modern society because we rely on electronics nearly everywhere. These batteries are safe and effective, but different chemistries create different battery types with unique advantages and ideal use cases.
So, what sets each lithium-ion battery chemistry apart? Learn how a lithium battery works and the six primary categories using different elements for different purposes.
What Is a Lithium Battery?
Lithium batteries are rechargeable cells that create an electric current by moving lithium ions between their cathode (negative electrode) and anode (positive electrode).
They use lithium-based chemical compounds for the anode, and all except one type use a graphite carbon cathode. The electrolyte separating the anode and the cathode differs based on each type’s chemistry.
During the charging process, ions move freely from the cathode to the anode, and this process is reversed to discharge power from the battery to a device or appliance.
This precise ion movement creates the electrical potential difference, otherwise known as the battery cell’s voltage.
What Are the Different Types of Lithium Batteries?
Each battery’s chemistry determines its type, how it works, and its benefits and drawbacks. There are six main types of lithium batteries, each of which relies on its chemical makeup and active materials to store and provide energy. They each get their name from the active elements used within them.
Lithium batteries are widely renowned as the best batteries, and batteries powered by other elements have a hard time competing against them. This is because lithium-ion batteries can store a large quantity of electricity and recharge frequently with limited degradation.
The six primary lithium battery chemistries are:
- Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP)
- Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LiCoO2 or LCO)
- Lithium Manganese Oxide (LiMn2O4 or LMO)
- Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (LiNixMnyCozO2 or NMC)
- Lithium Titanate (Li2TiO3 or LTO)
- Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminium Oxide (LiNiCoAlO2 or NCA)
Learn more about each type and see where they’re best used.
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP)
Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries date back to 1996 at the University of Texas when researchers discovered they could use phosphate as the cathode material for lithium batteries. They have great power, safety, performance, lifespan, and cost metrics. They’re known to be long-lasting and safe, making them a popular replacement for lead-acid starter batteries.
LFP batteries are now one of the most widely adopted and cost-effective rechargeable batteries on the market. They have many use cases, from robotics and agriculture to construction and backup battery storage like the EcoFlow DELTA Series Portable Power Stations.
Quickly recharge LFP batteries with AC power or other alternatives. You can use solar panels to recharge the LFP batteries or connect the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 to the EcoFlow Smart Generator (Dual Fuel) for a recharge powered by propane or gasoline and a complete home battery backup system.
You can also pair your PPS with extra batteries to upgrade your capacity. The battery type is one of the most important things to know about EcoFlow batteries. They all rely on LFP battery chemistry for their safety, long lifespan, and cost-effective power.
Applications
- High-load currents and endurance
- Solar batteries
- EcoFlow Portable Power Stations
- Construction
- Mining
- Agriculture
- Robotics
- Marine
Advantages
- Durable
- Long lifespan (2,000 cycles or more)
- Safe
- High-quality cells
- Wide range of operation
- High thermal stability
Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO)
Lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) batteries use a graphite carbon anode and a lithium cobalt oxide cathode, as designated by their name. LCO batteries stand out due to their high energy density, but they also have quite a low specific power, creating limited load capabilities and rendering them unviable for use cases like electric vehicles.
However, their high energy density makes them helpful when size matters – they’re compact but provide a high output, creating opportunities for use in portable electrics like smartphones, tablets, and computers. They can also deliver power over an extended period.
Their low lifespan can’t compete with LFP batteries. An LCO battery only has ⅓ to ¼ the battery life of an LFP battery, so it will need to be replaced more often.
Their high specific energy also comes at a high cost because cobalt is expensive. If safety is a concern, LCO batteries might not be your first choice because there’s an increasing risk of thermal runway as the battery overheats over time.
Applications
- Mobile phones
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Cameras
Advantages
- High specific energy
- Deliver power over long periods for low-load applications
Lithium Manganese Oxide (LMO)
Another option is lithium Manganese Oxide batteries, referred to as LMO or LiMn204 batteries. The unique 3D spinel structure of LMO batteries allows the lithium ions within them to move more freely, making them a safe and stable option. This structure also lowers internal resistance and increases current handling.
The downside, however, is that it reduces the battery’s lifespan. You typically only get about 700 charge cycles before the battery is no longer usable. LMO can also serve as a battery base, and its flexibility can be leveraged by adding other materials to improve its chemical properties.
LMO batteries’ safety and thermal stability make them a good choice for applications that require a high power load. Because of this, you’ll see them used often in power tools, medical equipment, and some electric vehicles. For example, LMO can be paired with NMC chemistry to create a high acceleration current and extended car driving range.
Applications
- Power tools
- Electric car powertrains
- Medical devices
- Electric motorcycles
Advantages
- Charge quickly
- High specific power
- Higher current than LCO
- Operate safely at high temperatures
- Versatile, works well for high-load and long-life applications
Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC)
This battery has many names—lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide, NMC, LiNiMnCoO2, or Li-NMC. It is another excellent type of lithium-ion battery, just below LFP. Because these batteries include Nickel, Manganese, and Cobalt, they offer the best benefits of these different elements.
Nickel has a high specific energy but low stability, while Manganese is stable but has a low specific energy. Combined, you get a high specific power and a stable battery chemistry.
NMC is one of the leading battery chemistries in the world. Cobalt is a rare element, so it drives the cost of NMC batteries up, but it’s still relatively affordable. They also provide a sufficient lifespan (~2000 charge cycles), so the cost-to-life ratio is quite balanced.
NMC has the lowest rate of self-heating of all six battery types, making it an incredibly safe option for applications such as electric vehicles. Its low weight, compact size, and impressive storage capacity make it ideal when power is necessary, but space is still tight.
Applications
- Electric bicycles
- Electric vehicles
- Industrial settings
- Medical devices
Advantages
- High energy density
- Longer lifecycle and lower cost than cobalt-based batteries
- High thermal stability (safe)
- Flexible design (can be customized based on specific requirements)
Lithium Titanate (LTO)
LTO batteries stand out from other Li-ion batteries. They use a lithium titanate anode rather than graphite and Li-NMC or Lithium Manganese Oxide for the cathode. What does this mean? It creates a highly safe battery with fast charging capabilities, a wide operating temperature, and a long lifespan (up to 15,000 charge cycles). Because of their unique benefits, these cells are popular for EV charging stations, UPSs, solar energy storage, aerospace equipment, and more.
The two most significant downsides to LTO chemistry are the cost of production and its low specific power. This newer model was introduced to the market in 2008, so there’s still a lot of work to be done to improve this battery chemistry even further.
Applications
- Uninterrupted Power Supply
- Electric vehicle powertrain (Honda Fit EV, etc.)
- Solar street lights
- Aerospace and military
- Wind and solar storage
Advantages
- Fast charging
- Wide range of operating temperatures
- Long lifespan
- Safe and stable
Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (NCA)
Remember NMC battery cells? NCA chemistry replaces the Manganese with Aluminum, but they share similar features, such as high energy and a substantial lifespan. However, adding Aluminum to the mix also adds more robust chemical stability. Their high specific energy makes these cells useful for applications that require a medium-high power load over an extended time.
For this reason, they’re popular in the electric vehicle market – Tesla has repeatedly selected NCA chemistry as their battery of choice.
The only drawbacks of NCA chemistry are that they’re not as safe as other lithium technologies and can be quite expensive.
Applications
- Medical devices
- Industrial settings
- Electric vehicle powertrains (Tesla)
Advantages
- High energy
- Good lifespan
Frequently Asked Questions
Today, LFP is commonly hailed as the best type of lithium-ion battery because of its durability, safety, long lifespan, high thermal stability, and wide operating range. However, other Li-ion battery types may be better suited for specific applications, such as electric vehicles or aerospace.
Lithium-ion battery cells are sorted into three categories: A grade, B grade, and used. The grade determines the expected lifespan. A-grade cells usually come with a 5-7 year warranty, while B-grade cells have a 2-3 year warranty. Finally, used batteries typically only have a one-year warranty.
Final Thoughts
Lithium-ion batteries are the supreme rechargeable battery of our modern world. They are heralded for their safety, lengthy lifespan, high energy density, and wide operating range. Slightly adjusting the active materials in these cells creates different chemistries that each present unique benefits, creating niches for each battery type.
Overall, LFP batteries are considered the best because they are safe and long-lasting. That’s why they are our cell of choice for all EcoFlow Portable Power Stations. These are the PPS for you if you want a reliable, durable backup power source with low safety risks.