TCE Magazine | Lithium-ion batteries are not all the same. Here are the 6 main chemistries for the energy transition

Flash Battery explains the characteristics of the different chemistries we can find in the world of lithium batteries, the main ones are 6 (so far!) and have very different uses and peculiarities

This is definitely the era of the lithium battery, which, thanks to its characteristics, has a leading role to play in the energy transition towards greater sustainability.

The lithium battery is ‘growing’ in several respects. Not only is its use increasingly widespread, but also the development and research around it is growing.

In this regard, it is important to shed light on the different types of lithium batteries on the market today which, although sharing the presence of lithium ions, possess a number of other chemical elements that determine their different characteristics and uses.

We asked Flash Battery, which has been producing lithium batteries for the industrial sector for over ten years, to explain to us which lithium chemistries are most commonly found on the market and their different characteristics.

In this article, Flash Battery explains to us in particular 6 chemistries, all lithium-based, but with different combinations of materials, which give them special characteristics, able to meet the needs of various sectors:

Industrial applications

LFP: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)

LTO: Lithium Titanate (Li4Ti5O12)

Automotive

NMC: Nickel – Manganese – Cobalt (LiNixMnyCozO2)

NCA: Nickel – Cobalt – Aluminium (LiNiCoAIO2)

Small electronic devices

LCO: Lithium – Cobalt – Oxide (LiCoO 2)

LMO: Lithium – Manganese – Oxide (LiMn2O4)

All of these batteries contain lithium ions in transit between cathode and anode, exploiting reversible chemical reactions.

The difference lies in the specific materials that make up the cathode. These materials significantly influence the performance of the battery, its energy density, safety, power, life cycles and cost.