Lithium Iron Phosphate vs. Ternary Batteries: Pros, Cons, Applications

Nowadays, there are two common materials in the lithium battery market: ternary materials and lithium iron phosphate. How should we choose? In fact, from Pronewenergy's perspective, ternary lithium batteries and lithium iron phosphate batteries each have their own advantages, and the quality of technology depends on whether they are suitable or not. Choosing the right lithium battery is the best approach.

Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery:

The so-called lithium iron phosphate battery refers to a lithium-ion battery with lithium iron phosphate as the positive electrode material. This type of battery does not contain precious metal elements (such as cobalt, etc.). In practical use, lithium iron phosphate batteries have advantages such as high temperature resistance, strong safety and stability, low cost, and excellent cycling performance. The raw material is inexpensive, and there is an abundance of phosphorus and iron resources on Earth, avoiding raw material shortages.

Advantages of Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery:

1. Safety in Use:

The P-O bonds in the lithium iron phosphate battery crystals are stable and not easily decomposed. Even in high temperatures or overcharging conditions, they will not collapse, heat up, or form strongly oxidizing substances such as lithium cobalt oxide. Lithium iron phosphate batteries have passed strict safety tests and will not explode even in collisions or punctures.

2. Increased Lifespan:

The cycle life of lithium iron phosphate power batteries exceeds 2000 cycles, reaching 2000 cycles after standard charging (5 hours). Under the same conditions, lead-acid batteries can be used for a maximum of 1 to 1.5 years, while lithium iron phosphate batteries have a theoretical lifespan of 7 to 8 years.

3. Excellent High-Temperature Performance:

The thermal peak of lithium iron phosphate batteries can reach 350-500°C, while lithium manganese oxide and lithium cobalt oxide are only around 200°C. The operating temperature range is wide (-20°C to 75°C), showing good high-temperature resistance.

4. Large Capacity:

When the battery is always working under full discharge conditions, the capacity will quickly fall below the rated capacity. This phenomenon is called memory effect. For example, nickel-metal hydride and nickel-cadmium batteries have memory, but lithium iron phosphate batteries do not exhibit this phenomenon. The battery can be used during charging regardless of its state, and there is no need to discharge before charging.

5. Lightweight:

Lithium iron phosphate batteries with the same specifications and capacity have a volume that is two-thirds of lead-acid batteries and a weight that is one-third of lead-acid batteries.

6. Environmentally Friendly:

Lithium iron phosphate batteries are pollution-free, comply with European RoHS regulations, and are certified as absolutely green batteries.

7. Fast Charging:

The battery can be rapidly charged and discharged with a large current of 2C. The battery can be fully charged within 40 minutes at 1.5C with a dedicated charger, and the starting current can reach 2C.

Disadvantages of Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery:

1. The lithiation density of the positive electrode of the lithium iron phosphate battery is relatively small, generally around 0.8 to 1.3. Large volume.

2. Poor conductivity, slow lithium ion diffusion rate, and lower actual capacity during high-rate charge and discharge.

3. Poor low-temperature performance of lithium iron phosphate batteries.

4. The lifespan of lithium iron phosphate batteries is about 2000 cycles, while the lifespan of lithium iron phosphate battery packs is about 500 cycles.

Ternary Lithium Battery:

The positive electrode material for lithium batteries is ternary materials, with the positive electrode material being lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (Li (NiCoMn) O2) and the negative electrode material being graphite. Unlike lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium batteries have a very high voltage platform, which means that under the same volume or weight, ternary lithium batteries have greater energy density and power. In addition, ternary lithium batteries have significant advantages in high-rate charging and low-temperature resistance.

Advantages of Ternary Lithium Battery:

1. High Voltage Platform:

The higher the voltage platform, the greater the specific capacity of the battery under the same volume, weight, or even the same ampere-hour. Lithium batteries with a higher voltage platform have a longer range than lithium iron phosphate batteries. The voltage platform of ternary lithium batteries is significantly higher than that of lithium iron phosphate, with a high voltage of up to 4.2 volts and a discharge platform of 3.6 or 3.7 volts.

2. High Energy Density

3. High Lithiation Density

Disadvantages of Ternary Lithium Battery:

1. Poor Safety:

Ternary lithium batteries have poor safety.

2. Poor High-Temperature Performance:

Ternary lithium batteries have poor high-temperature resistance.

3. Shorter Lifespan:

Ternary lithium batteries have a shorter lifespan.

4. Large Power Discharge Difference:

After high-power charge and discharge, the temperature of ternary lithium batteries rises sharply, releasing a large amount of heat and oxygen.

In the field of lithium battery energy storage, such as data centers, room systems, communication base stations, emergency power supplies, automotive starting, vehicle modification, industrial equipment, medical equipment, and energy storage, lithium iron phosphate batteries will be the largest application market.