Battery names are based on the cathode material, and this is also the origin of ternary lithium batteries.
Ternary lithium batteries are lithium-ion rechargeable batteries that use nickel, cobalt, and manganese transition metal oxides as cathode materials. They combine the excellent cycle performance of lithium cobalt oxide, the high specific capacity of lithium nickel oxide, and the high safety and low cost of lithium manganese oxide. They utilize molecular-level mixing, doping, coating, and surface modification methods to synthesize composite lithium-intercalated oxides with synergistic effects of nickel, cobalt, and manganese. They are currently a widely researched and applied type of lithium-ion rechargeable battery.
From a materials perspective, the "ternary" in ternary lithium batteries refers to polymers containing three metallic elements: nickel (Ni), cobalt, and manganese or aluminum, which serve as the positive electrode in ternary lithium batteries. All three are indispensable; each element plays a crucial role, and the characteristics of each element also constrain battery performance.
Structurally, ternary lithium batteries boast high energy density and high charge/discharge efficiency. However, they are also susceptible to high temperatures. Therefore, poor safety and short cycle life are the main drawbacks of ternary lithium batteries, especially safety, which has been a major factor limiting their large-scale packing and integrated applications. Extensive field testing shows that large-capacity ternary batteries often fail safety tests such as nail penetration and overcharge tests. This is why large-capacity batteries typically incorporate more manganese, or even use them in combination with lithium manganese oxide.
In terms of application, ternary lithium batteries are generally suitable for scenarios that require high energy density, have limited space, and have high requirements for customer experience, such as mid-to-high-end passenger vehicles.
