6 Lithium-ion Battery Types

In this article:

• Lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) batteries
• Lithium manganese oxide (LMO) batteries
• Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries
• Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) batteries
• Lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA) batteries
• Lithium titanate oxide (LTO) batteries
• Which lithium-ion battery is best?

1. Lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) batteries

Lithium cobalt oxide batteries are made from lithium carbonate and cobalt, using a cobalt oxide cathode and graphite carbon as their anode material. Due to their very high specific energy, these batteries are used for cell phones, laptops and electronic cameras. They are are also known as lithium cobaltate, lithium-ion cobalt or LCO batteries.

This type of battery has some drawbacks, including a relatively short battery life and limited specific power. Additionally, these batteries are not as safe as other types due to their low thermal stability. Even so, their characteristics make them the popular choice for cell phones and other portable electronic devices.

2. Lithium manganese oxide (LMO) batteries

Lithium manganese oxide batteries use manganese dioxide cathodes. This battery formula has several names, also going by LMO, lithium manganate or lithium-ion manganese batteries, as well as li-manganese or manganese spinel. The technology for this battery type was discovered in the 1980s.

Lithium manganese oxide batteries are notable for their high temperature stability and are also safer than other lithium-ion battery types. For this reason, they are often used in medical equipment and devices, power tools, electric bikes and more. It is also possible to use lithium manganese oxide batteries to power laptops and electric powertrain cars.

3. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries

Lithium iron phosphate batteries, also known as li-phosphate or LFP batteries, use phosphate as a cathode. They benefit from low resistance properties, which enhance their safety and thermal stability.

Other benefits of LFP batteries include durability and a long lifecycle — fully charged batteries can be stored with little change to the total lifespan of the battery’s charge. Li-phosphate batteries are often the most cost-effective option as well when their long battery life is taken into consideration.

Accordingly, these batteries are often used in electric motorcycles, as well as other applications that need a long lifecycle and significant safety. EVs often use these batteries, and they are very common in Chinese EVs in particular. However, the lower voltage of LFP batteries means that they have less energy than other types of lithium-ion batteries.

Another form of a LFP battery includes the replacement of an iron cathode with a manganese cathode to produce a lower-cost, more efficient battery. Lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) batteries offer both increased energy density and up to 20 percent higher capacity than LFP batteries, as well as better performance in low-temperature environments. Major automakers are increasingly making the switch from LFP to LMFP batteries.

4. Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) batteries

Also known as lithium manganese cobalt oxide, or NMC batteries, lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide batteries are made of several materials common in lithium-ion battery types, with a cathode made of a combination of nickel, manganese and cobalt. Like other lithium-ion battery varieties, NMC batteries can have either a high specific energy density or a high specific power. They cannot, however, have both properties. This battery type is most often seen in power tools and in powertrains for vehicles.

NMC batteries have a variety of metal ratios. NMC 111 batteries include equal parts of the three metals, whereas NMC 532, 622 and 811 contain significantly more nickel and less manganese and cobalt. This is seen as positive as battery makers seek to cut cobalt from their products due to the prevalence of unethical sourcing in the supply chain.

This battery type is generally preferred for EVs that need to travel long distances due to its very low self-heating rate; in fact, it is the most common type of EV battery in North America.

5. Lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA) batteries

Lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide batteries, also called NCA batteries, are not seen much in the consumer industry, but are used in the auto sector.

They provide a high-energy option for EV makers as they give the EVs using them increased range. However, they are not as safe as other lithium-ion battery types and are quite costly. NCA batteries must be accompanied by monitoring devices to ensure driver safety.

At this time, they aren't being commonly used in new EVs as they have been eclipsed by the safer NMC and LFP formulations. However, some existing models do have them.

6. Lithium titanate oxide (LTO) batteries

Finally, lithium titanate, also known as li-titanate, is a class of battery that allows for ever-increasing applications. The main advantage of the li-titanate battery is its remarkably fast recharge time, thanks to its advanced nanotechnology, states the website Battery Space.

Currently, manufacturers of EVs and bikes use li-titanate batteries, and there is potential for use in electric buses for public transportation. However, these batteries have lower inherent voltage, or lower energy density, than other lithium-ion battery varieties, which can present issues with powering vehicles efficiently. Even so, the density of lithium titanate batteries is still higher than other non-lithium-ion batteries, which is a plus.

Applications for these batteries can include military and aerospace uses, and they may also be used for storing wind and solar energy and creating smart grids.