Posted  September 8, 2022

There are many kinds of lithium battery cathode materials. In fact, most consumer are only familiar with a limited range of lithium solutions. The most common versions are built from cobalt oxide, manganese oxide, nickel oxide and Lithium oxide formulations.

First, let’s take a step back in time. Lithium cobalt oxide discovered by Goodengough’s team in 1980, Lithium-ion batteries was commercialized by Sony in 1990.

Lithium-ion batteries are a much newer innovation and have only been around for the last 32 years. Over this time, lithium battery technologies have increased in popularity as they have proven to be valuable in powering smaller electronics – like laptops , cell phones ,electrical tools,car . But as you may recall from several news stories over recent years, lithium-ion batteries also gained a reputation for catching fire. This is one of the main reasons why lithium iron phosphate(LiFePO4) batteries have been widely used in recent years.

But then came along lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4). This newer type of lithium solution was inherently non-combustible, while allowing for slightly lower energy density. LiFePO4 batteries were not only safer, they had many advantages over other lithium chemistries, particularly for high power applications.

Because the thermal runaway temperature of lithium iron phosphate batteries is generally above 500 °C, ternary lithium batteries are lower than 300 °C, and some high-nickel batteries are even lower than 200 °C. In contrast, lithium iron phosphate batteries are used and fast charging. The risk of spontaneous combustion is low during the process.

Safety And Stability

LiFePO4 batteries are best known for their strong safety profile, the result of extremely stable chemistry. Phosphate-based batteries offer superior thermal and chemical stability which provides an increase in safety over lithium-ion batteries made with other cathode materials. They can also withstand harsh conditions, be it freezing cold, scorching heat or rough terrain.

When subjected to hazardous events, such as collision or short-circuiting, They are harder to explode or catch fire, significantly reducing chance of harm. If you’re selecting a lithium battery and anticipate use in hazardous or unstable environments, LiFePO4 is likely your best choice.

Performance

Performance is a major factor in determining which type of battery to use in a given application. Long life, slow self-discharge rates and less weight make lithium iron batteries an appealing option as they are expected to have a longer shelf life than lithium-ion. Service life usually clocks in at five to ten years or longer, and runtime significantly exceeds lead-acid batteries and other lithium formulations. Battery charging time is also considerably reduced, another convenient performance perk. So, if you’re looking for a battery to stand the test of time and charge quickly, LiFePO4 is the answer.

Space Efficiency

Also worth mentioning is LiFePO4’s space-efficient characteristics. At one-third the weight of most lead-acid batteries , LiFePO4 provides an effective way to make use of space and weight. Making your product more efficient overall. 

Environmental Impact

LiFePO4 batteries are non-toxic, non-contaminating and contain no rare earth metals, making them an environmentally conscious choice. Lead-acid ,nickel oxide and cobalt oxide lithium batteries carry significant environmental risk (especially lead acid, as internal chemicals degrade structure over team and eventually cause leakage).

Compared to lead-acid and other lithium batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries offer significant advantages, including improved discharge and charge efficiency, longer life span and the ability to deep cycle while maintaining performance. LiFePO4 batteries often come with a higher price tag, but a much better cost over life of the product, minimal maintenance and infrequent replacement makes them a worthwhile investment and a smart long-term solution.

Check out our latest infographic with more details on what makes lithium iron phosphate batteries the best choice for your application. 

If you want to know more about lithium iron phosphate batteries, please visit our website. https://www.xingsolutions.com/lifepo4-battery/