I. Introduction to Cathode Materials
Lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous in our lives, found not only in cars but also in mobile phones and computers. Without lithium batteries, human life would be significantly impacted. The cathode material is currently the primary storage site for lithium ions in lithium-ion batteries, and its performance directly affects the battery's overall performance. The driving range of new energy vehicles is largely dependent on the cathode material.
II. Comparison of Common Cathode Materials
Cathode materials are mainly divided into four categories: ternary, lithium iron phosphate, lithium cobalt oxide, and lithium manganese oxide. Each of these four cathode materials has its own characteristics and can significantly impact new energy vehicles. Ternary materials are composite oxides of several multi-metal materials. They can fully utilize the advantages of metals and have relatively high battery capacity, so they are widely used in passenger vehicles. Currently, most new energy vehicles on the market use ternary lithium batteries.
Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) has a low raw material content and good recyclability and safety. Its disadvantage is low capacity, so it is mainly used in power batteries for buses and logistics vehicles. Lithium manganese oxide is abundant and inexpensive. However, it has poor cycle life and significant degradation at high temperatures, so it is used in limited quantities in power batteries. Lithium cobalt oxide has high energy density, but it is expensive and not environmentally friendly. Currently, it is mainly used in 3C electronic products.
