The Impact of Different Positive Electrode Materials on The Performance of 18650 And Polymer Lithium Batteries

The impact of different positive electrode materials on the performance of 18650 and polymer lithium batteries

The positive electrode material is one of the key factors that determine the performance of lithium batteries. In 18650 cylindrical lithium batteries and polymer lithium batteries, the choice of positive electrode materials directly affects the energy density, cycle life and safety performance of the battery.

1. Characteristics of mainstream positive electrode materials

Lithium cobalt oxide (LCO): high energy density, but high cost and poor safety. Lithium iron phosphate (LFP): good safety, long cycle life, but low energy density. Ternary material (NCM): excellent comprehensive performance and moderate cost.

Lithium manganese oxide (LMO): good safety, but poor cycle performance. These materials have their own characteristics and are suitable for different application scenarios.

2. Impact on battery performance

Energy density: Lithium cobalt oxide is the highest, followed by ternary materials, and lithium iron phosphate is the lowest. Cycle life: Lithium iron phosphate is the best, up to more than 4,000 times, and ternary materials are about 2,000 times.

Safety performance: Lithium iron phosphate is the most stable, and lithium cobalt oxide has poor thermal stability. Rate performance: ternary materials are the best and suitable for high-rate charge and discharge. These differences determine the application direction of the battery.

3. Material selection strategy

Consumer electronics: give priority to lithium cobalt oxide or ternary materials, and pursue high energy density. Electric vehicles: mostly use ternary materials or lithium iron phosphate to balance performance and safety.

Energy storage system: tend to use lithium iron phosphate, focus on cycle life and safety. Power tools: select ternary materials to meet high-rate requirements. These strategies ensure the best battery performance.

The selection of positive electrode materials requires comprehensive consideration of factors such as performance, cost and safety. With the advancement of material technology, new positive electrode materials will continue to emerge, promoting the continuous improvement of lithium battery performance. In the future, customized development of positive electrode materials for specific application scenarios will become an important direction for the development of lithium battery technology.