Lithium iron phosphate batteries are different from lithium batteries. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are type of battery in lithium battery family. Cathode material is mainly lithium iron phosphate materials, also known as lithium iron batteries. Cathode materials of lithium ion batteries mainly include lithium cobaltate, lithium manganate, lithium nickelate, ternary materials, lithium iron phosphate and so on. This article focuses on difference between lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries and lithium (Li) batteries.
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Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery (LiFePO4)
Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery refers to lithium ion battery that uses lithium iron phosphate as the positive electrode material. Cathode materials of lithium ion batteries mainly include lithium cobaltate, lithium manganate, lithium nickelate, ternary materials, lithium iron phosphate and so on. Among them, lithium cobalt oxide is currently cathode material used in most lithium ion batteries.
Advantages of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Battery:
- Lithium iron phosphate batteries have long life, with life cycle of more than 2000 times. Under same conditions, lithium iron phosphate batteries can be used for 7-8 years.
- Safe to use. Lithium iron phosphate batteries have undergone strict safety tests and will not explode even in traffic accidents.
- Fast charging. Using dedicated charger, the battery can be fully charged after 40 minutes of charging at 1.5C.
- Lithium iron phosphate battery pack is resistant to high temperatures, and the hot air value of lithium iron phosphate batteries can reach 350-500 degrees Celsius.
- Lithium iron phosphate batteries have large capacities.
- Lithium iron phosphate batteries have no memory effect.
- Lithium iron phosphate battery is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, non-polluting, has wide range of raw materials, and is economical.
Application fields of Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries:
- Large electric vehicles: buses, electric vehicles, tourist attractions and hybrid vehicles, etc
- Light electric vehicles: electric bicycles, golf carts, small battery-powered trolleys, forklifts, cleaning vehicles, electric wheelchairs, etc
- Power tools: electric drills, electric saws, lawnmowers, etc.
- Remote control cars, boats, airplanes and other toys
- Energy storage equipment for solar and wind power generation
- UPS and emergency lights, warning lights and miner’s lamps (best safety)
- Replace 3V disposable lithium battery and 9V rechargeable nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride batteries in camera (of same size)
- Small medical equipment and portable equipment, etc.
- Read more: Lithium Battery for Solar, Price in Pakistan
Lithium Battery
Lithium batteries are types of batteries that use lithium metal or lithium alloy as negative electrode material and use non-aqueous electrolyte solutions. Due to the very active chemical properties of lithium metal, the processing, storage and use of lithium metal have very high environmental requirements. Therefore, lithium batteries have not been used for long time. With development of science and technology, lithium batteries have now become mainstream.
Advantages of Lithium Batteries:
- Energy is relatively high. With high energy storage density, it has reached 460-600Wh/kg, which is about 6-7 times that of lead-acid batteries.
- Service life is long, and life can reach more than 6 years. Battery with lithium iron phosphate as positive electrode can be charged and discharged at 1 ° C, and can be used for 10,000 times.
- Nominal voltage is high, and single working voltage is 3.7V or 3.2V, which is approximately equal to series voltage of 3 nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries, which is convenient to form UPS power battery pack; lithium batteries can be regulated by new type of lithium battery Voltage regulator technology, adjust the voltage to 3.0V to adapt to use of small household appliances.
- It has high-power endurance, and lithium iron phosphate battery used in electric vehicles can reach charge and discharge capacity of 15-30 ° C, which is convenient for high-intensity start-up acceleration.
- Self-discharge rate is very low. This is one of most important advantages of lithium batteries. Generally, it can be less than 1% per month, which is less than 1/20 that of Ni-MH batteries.
- Lightweight, weight is about 1/6-1/5 of lead product under same volume.
- Strong adaptability to high and low temperatures, can be used in environment of -20 ℃ –60 ℃, after process treatment, can be used in environment of -45 ℃;
- Lithium battery is environmentally friendly and environmentally friendly. Regardless of production, use or waste, it does not contain or produce toxic and harmful heavy metal elements and substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, etc.
- Production basically does not consume water, which is very beneficial for my country, which is short of water.
Application Fields of Lithium Batteries
- Power supply for transport
- Power supply for energy storage
- Mobile communication power
- New energy storage power
- Aerospace military power
- Read more: Solar Lantern Battery
Difference Between Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery and Lithium Battery:
- Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery packs are used to make lithium ion secondary batteries. Now main direction is power batteries, which have great advantages over NI-H and Ni-Cd batteries.
- Lithium battery is type of battery that uses lithium metal or lithium alloy as cathode material and uses non-aqueous electrolyte solution. Chemical properties of lithium metal are very active, which makes the processing, storage and use of lithium metal very demanding on environment.
- Lithium iron phosphate puncture will not cause fire or explosion; while lithium battery puncture will cause fire and explosion.
- Lithium iron phosphate battery will not catch fire and explode if overcharged to 100%; lithium battery will gas and swell when it reaches specified value.
- Typical voltage of lithium iron phosphate battery is 3.2V and lithium ion battery is 3.7V.
- Lithium iron phosphate is resistant to overcharging and over-discharging, and can recover more than 80% when it reaches 0 for short time. Irreversible damage occurs when lithium ions are over-discharged to 2.6V.
- Lithium iron phosphate is resistant to high temperatures and can be used after more than 200 degrees of recovery. Lithium ions do not work.
- Lithium iron phosphate can discharge at high current, 10C/20C or above is possible, and lithium ion can only discharge at 3~5C.
Generally speaking, lithium iron phosphate is safest among lithium batteries. However, energy density of lithium iron phosphate is not as large as that of lithium ion batteries. Voltage is also relatively low. Because of its large discharge characteristics, it is mainly used for power supply, such as electric vehicles, model airplanes, etc. Large capacity of lithium ion is mainly used in field of civilian consumption.
Lithium iron phosphate batteries use lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) as cathode material, and iron is used as the raw material of the battery, which is low cost and high safety. The PO bond in lithium iron phosphate crystal is very stable and difficult to decompose. Even under high temperature or overcharge, it will not cause structural collapse or heat generation, nor will it form strong oxidizing substances, and has good safety.
Raw materials required for lithium iron phosphate batteries do not need to be imported, supply is sufficient, price is stable, and cost is relatively low. So-called lithium iron phosphate battery refers to lithium ion battery that uses lithium iron phosphate as positive electrode material. Characteristic of this type of battery is that it does not contain precious metal elements (such as cobalt, etc.). In actual use, lithium iron phosphate batteries have advantages of high temperature resistance, strong safety and stability, low price, and better cycle performance.
Frequently Asked Question
Lithium iron phosphate battery has excellent performance such as high energy density, high open circuit voltage, high output power, no memory effect, fast charging and discharging speed, so it is widely used in RV/Caravan/Camping/Boat.
Since lifepo4 battery is consumer product, no matter how it is used, battery will eventually run out. What we can do is to extend battery life as much as possible and regulate use of batteries. So, how should lifpeo4 batteries be used? Use LIFEPO4 batteries according to following method, which is not only safe and reliable, but also prolongs battery life.
1. Do not frequently deep discharge LIFEPO4 battery.
(LIFEPO4 Battery) Lithium iron phosphate battery has almost no memory effect. Many users often run battery to lowest limit (relative to lowest voltage protected by protection board) and then charge it. This is not recommended.
Although the discharge rate of LiFePO4 batteries can reach 100% (at certain temperature). Depth of discharge is main factor that affects life of lithium iron phosphate battery. Frequent overcharging will shorten battery life.
2. Do not overcharge LiFePO4 battery for long time
Some users often want to charge the battery for a period of time after it is fully charged, believing that the battery capacity will be larger in this way. In fact, LiFePO4 batteries can cause serious damage if overcharged for long time.
Overcharging of lithium iron phosphate batteries must meet the following conditions: Design of battery protection board is not reasonable. But our LiFePO4 battery has BMS battery protection board, so there is no need to worry.
3. Choose Right Charger
Charging voltage and charging current of charger should not be too high. It is best to use charger with proper termination of charging devices (such as anti-overcharge time devices, negative voltage difference (-dV) cut-off charge, and anti-overheating induction devices) to avoid shortening life of lithium iron phosphate batteries due to overcharging. Generally speaking, slow charging can extend battery life better than fast charging.
4. Influence of Working Temperature on Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
LiFePO4 battery has wide application temperature range (for example: -20°C —– 60°C). It can also be used at low temperatures in winter, but capacity will be greatly reduced. When temperature returns to room temperature, capacity of lithium battery can be restored. LiFePO4 batteries are extremely sensitive to temperature. If battery is used in sub-zero environment for long time, battery life will be significantly reduced. Similarly, if battery is exposed to excessive heat for long time (for example, more than 60 degrees), even if it does not explode, it will significantly reduce battery life.
LiFePO4 battery is not used or need long-term storage, should be charged with 60% ~ 80% of power, and removed from instrument stored in dry and cool environment, and every 3 months to charge battery, so as not to store for too long, battery is too low due to self-discharge, resulting in irreversible loss of capacity.
In fact, Shallow charge and discharge are more advantageous for lifepo4 batteries. Only when product power module is calibrated for lifepo4 batteries, it is necessary to deep discharge and charge. Therefore, to get most out of lithium ion battery, it is necessary to use it often enough to keep electrons inside lithium battery always moving.