Energy density of lithium batteries

I. What is energy density?

Energy density refers to the amount of energy that can be stored in a battery per unit volume or per unit mass. For lithium batteries, it is usually measured in two ways: volumetric energy density (Wh/L) and mass energy density (Wh/kg). The former refers to the amount of energy that can be stored per liter of battery volume , while the latter refers to the amount of energy that can be stored per kilogram of battery mass. Energy density is a key performance indicator used to measure the ability of a battery to store electrical energy. It directly affects the capacity, volume, and weight of the battery, and is a key factor in evaluating battery performance and applicability. Understanding the energy density of lithium batteries is critical to the design and use of various electronic devices, vehicles, and energy storage systems.

II.Factors affecting energy density

The energy density of lithium batteries is affected by many factors, including the chemical composition, structural design and manufacturing process of the battery . 

  1. 1. Battery materials :

 The positive and negative electrode materials of the battery have an important influence on the energy density . Common positive electrode materials include lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) , lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) , nickel cobalt manganese oxide (NCM) , and nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA) . Common negative electrode materials include graphite , silicon , lithium titanate (Li4T i 5O12) , etc. Lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) usually has a higher energy density, but its stability is lower.

  1. 2. Electrolyte : 

The electrolyte in the battery plays an important role in ion conduction, and the properties and composition of the electrolyte will also affect the energy density. Common electrolytes include: liquid electrolytes , which are composed of organic solvents (such as carbonates) and salts (such as lithium salts) and are widely used in traditional lithium batteries ; solid electrolytes, solid electrolytes (such as sulfides or oxides) may provide higher energy density and better safety, but the manufacturing process is complicated.

  1. 3. Battery design : 

The design and manufacturing process of the electrode are crucial to the energy density of the battery. Optimized electrode design can increase the effective capacity of the battery. From the perspective of electrode thickness , thickening the electrode can increase the energy storage capacity of the battery, but it may also affect the charge and discharge speed and cycle life of the battery . From the perspective of electrode material coating , uniform coating and high-quality electrode materials can improve energy density and battery consistency. From the perspective of battery structure , the overall structural design of the battery will also affect the energy density. For example, optimized battery arrangement and packaging can reduce volume waste and increase energy density.

  1. 4. Manufacturing process :

·Material purity: High-purity raw materials can reduce the impact of impurities on battery performance, thereby improving energy density.
·Manufacturing precision: Precise manufacturing processes can improve battery consistency and performance and optimize battery energy density. For example, high-quality separator materials and strict assembly processes can improve the overall performance of batteries.
·Battery assembly: Reasonable battery assembly process can optimize the utilization of battery internal space and improve energy density.

III.Comparison of energy density of different lithium batteries

1. Lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) battery

 

(1) Energy density

  • Mass energy density: about 150-200 Wh/kg
  • Volume energy density: about 400-600 Wh/L

(2) Evaluation

  • High energy density: Suitable for applications that require high energy density, such as smartphones and laptops. In addition, it is widely used in the field of consumer electronics, with stable production process and mature technology.
  • High cost: Cobalt is a rare metal and its price is relatively high, which directly leads to the high production cost of lithium cobalt oxide batteries. Therefore, this type of battery is expensive. 
  • Low safety: Thermal runaway is prone to occur under overcharge, short circuit or high temperature conditions.
  • Poor safety : Lithium cobalt oxide batteries are prone to thermal runaway at high temperatures or under overcharge, which may cause fire or explosion. This is due to the poor chemical stability of cobalt materials, especially under extreme conditions.

2. Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) battery

 

(1) Energy density

  • Mass energy density: about 90-150 Wh/kg
  • Volume energy density: about 200-400 Wh/L

(2) Evaluation

  • High safety: Good thermal and chemical stability, relatively safe. Even under extreme conditions (such as overcharge, short circuit or high temperature), lithium iron phosphate batteries are not prone to thermal runaway or fire. This makes lithium iron phosphate batteries widely used in electric vehicles and large energy storage systems to ensure the safety of users.
  • Long cycle life: Lithium iron phosphate batteries have a very long cycle life and can usually withstand thousands of charge and discharge cycles without significant performance degradation. Compared with other lithium batteries, their life is longer, effectively reducing the frequency and cost of battery replacement. Suitable for applications that require long-term use, such as power tools and electric vehicles.
  • Environmentally friendly materials : The iron material used in lithium iron phosphate batteries has a relatively small impact on the environment. Compared with cobalt and nickel, iron has a lower environmental impact and has a smaller environmental burden during its mining and processing. In addition, the materials of lithium iron phosphate batteries are easier to recycle, reducing the environmental problems caused by waste disposal.

3. Nickel cobalt manganese oxide (NCM) battery and nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA) batter

 

(1) Energy density

  • Mass energy density: 
    NCM: about 150-220 Wh/kg 
    NCA: about 200-250 Wh/kg
  • Volumetric energy density: 
    NCM: about 400-600 Wh/L 
    NCA: about 500-700 Wh/L

(2)evaluate
 

In low temperature environments, the performance of NCM and NCA batteries may be affected, including reduced energy output and charging efficiency. Although they perform well in normal temperature environments, additional temperature control measures may be required in cold climates. At the same time, under high loads and frequent charging and discharging, the capacity decays too quickly . In addition, the mining of nickel, cobalt and aluminum has a certain impact on the environment, including ecological damage and pollution in mining areas. It is not the most environmentally friendly choice.

IV. Conclusion

Different types of lithium batteries have different energy densities and are suitable for different application scenarios. Although the energy density of lithium iron phosphate batteries is relatively low, their advantages in safety, life, high temperature performance and environmental protection make them the best choice in many applications. As a supplier of lithium iron phosphate batteries, we are committed to providing high-quality lithium iron phosphate batteries to meet the needs of customers in a variety of fields. By understanding the unique advantages of lithium iron phosphate batteries, you can make an informed decision when choosing a battery to ensure the best performance and value.

    1 out of ...