Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery - Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages and Disadvantages

Most lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion) used in consumer electronics products use lithium cobalt oxide cathodes (LiCoO₂). Other varieties of lithium-ion batteries include lithium manganese oxide (LiMn₂O₄) and lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO₂). The batteries are named after the material used for their cathodes; the anodes are generally made of carbon and a variety of electrolytes are used.

The LiFePO₄ battery uses a lithium-ion-derived chemistry and shares many advantages and disadvantages with other Lithium-ion battery chemistries. However, there are significant differences.

LFP chemistry offers a longer cycle life than other lithium-ion approaches.

The use of phosphates avoids cobalt's cost and environmental concerns, particularly concerns about cobalt entering the environment through improper disposal.

LiFePO₄ has higher current or peak-power ratings than LiCoO₂.

The energy density (energy/volume) of a new LFP battery is some 14% lower than that of a new LiCoO₂ battery. Also, many brands of LFPs have a lower discharge rate than lead-acid or LiCoO₂. Since discharge rate is a percentage of battery capacity a higher rate can be achieved by using a larger battery (more ampère-hours).

LiFePO₄ cells experience a slower rate of capacity loss (aka greater calendar-life) than lithium-ion battery chemistries such as LiCoO₂ cobalt or LiMn₂O₄ manganese spinel lithium-ion polymer batteries or lithium-ion batteries. After one year on the shelf, a LiFePO₄ cell typically has approximately the same energy density as a LiCoO₂ Li-ion cell, because of LFP's slower decline of energy density. Thereafter, LiFePO₄ likely has a higher density.