What are the cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries?

Release Date:

2023-07-20

Author:

Common cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries include lithium cobalt oxide, lithium manganese oxide, lithium iron phosphate and ternary materials. The performance of the cathode material is a key factor limiting the capacity of lithium-ion batteries.

1. Lithium cobalt oxide: The first cathode material for lithium-ion batteries to be successfully commercialised. However, its widespread application and long-term development have been significantly limited by drawbacks such as the relative scarcity of cobalt resources, high cost, and environmental toxicity, compounded by the material’s poor safety performance and relatively low capacity. Currently, batteries using lithium cobalt oxide are primarily used in digital devices.

2. Lithium manganate: Primarily in the form of spinel-type lithium manganate. Compared to lithium cobaltate, it is characterised by abundant resources, low cost, minimal environmental pollution and excellent safety performance. However, the spinel structure is difficult to maintain intact, resulting in poor cycle stability; furthermore, the dissolution of manganese in the electrolyte during high-temperature cycling and the Jahn–Teller effect also lead to severe capacity degradation of the material.

3. Lithium iron phosphate: Abundant raw materials, a relatively low cost compared to other materials, and environmental friendliness, combined with good cycle stability and high safety, have led to its early adoption in electric vehicles. However, lithium iron phosphate materials have poor electrical conductivity and a low tapped density, resulting in low volumetric energy density, which limits their further application.

4. Ternary materials: Inspired by the metal doping modification of lithium cobaltate, ternary materials—multi-metal composite oxides of the form LiNi₁₋_x₋_yCo_xN_yO₂ (where N = Mn, Al)—have seen rapid development. Ternary materials combine the advantages of lithium cobaltate, lithium nickelate and lithium manganate (or lithium aluminate) to form a ternary eutectic, thereby fully utilising the properties of the three components. With a high theoretical capacity and relatively balanced properties, they have secured an important position in the power battery market.

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