Key Differences Between Lithium-Ion and Lithium-Iron-Phosphate Batteries

Today we are surrounded by batteries, and in most applications, lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries are used. However, as things are advancing, newer and better battery types are evolving. The one currently taking charge of the battery works in the lithium iron phosphate or LiFePO4 battery. So, knowing which would make a better choice considering the use case, will be a good way to select if you are working on something.

Lithium-ion vs. Lithium Iron Phosphate Charging

When comparing these two batteries, the most important thing to compare is their charging. When it comes to charging, these two batteries can be charged using the same charger. The main thing to focus on is using the charger with the right voltage ratings specified for the battery.

Charging Lifespan

While there are several similarities, there is a huge difference in the lifespan of these two batteries. The lithium-ion batteries are made to maintain their performance from 300 to 500 charge cycles. That's not the case with lithium iron batteries. These are rated to last almost 5000 charge cycles.

When we compare these figures in terms of years, that of lithium-ion batteries is only 2-3 years, while that of lithium-iron batteries is up to 10 years. Lithium-ion batteries start losing their performance after their life starts degrading. However, lithium iron batteries do not lose their performance even when their life has degraded by 50%.

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Charging Time

The scenario with charging time is almost the same in both cases. Both batteries take around 2 hours to charge fully and sometimes even less when a fast charger is used. However, that comparison may be voided, considering the energy density of these batteries.

Charging Performance

One of the biggest drawbacks of lithium-ion batteries is that they work as a dead load as their charging starts going down. That's not the case with the LiFePO4 batteries, as these provide the same performance no matter how much charging is left in them. So, whether they are fully charged, half, or less, these batteries will provide the same amount of power to the load you are using.

So, when we compare the charging category considering performance, lifespan, and cycle life, lithium iron phosphate batteries are much better than lithium-ion batteries.

Are lithium-ion and iron the same?

There might be several similarities among these batteries, but some significant differences exist. The biggest one is in their chemistry, which sets them apart.

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Chemistry of the Lithium-ion batteries.

Starting with lithium-ion batteries work on the base of the movement of lithium ions inside the battery. The ions move from one electrode to the other one through the path of an electrolyte. That electrolyte is usually a gel or a solution. The cathode of these batteries is made with lithium-based compounds, while the anode comprises carbon materials.

There is no fixed selection of materials, and as long as we stay within the defined limits, there are multiple electrolyte and cathode material choices for lithium-ion batteries. In terms of performance, one cell of these batteries can create around 3.6 volts of usable electricity. In most applications, at least 3 cells of lithium-ion technology are used in a series to create one battery.

Chemistry of the Lithium-ion batteries.

The lithium iron phosphate batteries are different in the cathode material. These batteries use lithium iron phosphate at the cathode, and one battery can produce around 3.3 bolts. So, in most applications, 4 cells of this technology are used together in series to create one battery.

The Similarities Between These Two Battery Types

When it comes to the similarities between these two batteries, the best ones include the following:

• Both of these fall under the lithium-based battery class

• Both work on the principle of moving lithium ions between electrodes to generate current

• The anode material is common for both of these batteries. It is graphite that's used as an anode in both batteries.

Apart from these key similarities, multiple differences set the two apart.

Are iron batteries better than lithium?

Iron batteries make a strong contender to lithium batteries considering the technological advancements. However, saying that these are better straight away won't be right. Iron batteries come with some disadvantages, which make lithium batteries a better choice if that is the key consideration.

While iron batteries make a better option in terms of charging, performance, lifespan, cycle life, etc., here are some aspects in which the traditional lithium-ion batteries make a much better option.

Energy Density

Energy density is the count of a battery's power compared to its size. For example, a lithium-ion battery that fits inside a smartphone may hold much more power than a lithium-iron battery of the same size. It is a major reason why lithium-ion batteries are still widely applicable since the contender cannot provide the same amount of power in small sizes.

Cost

Next up is the cost, which is where lithium-ion batteries are much cheaper. However, if we compare the costs over the longer run, the cost may be the same after 10-15 years because you may need 4-5 lithium-ion batteries during that time, while only one lithium-iron battery will work for that time. Lithium-ion batteries still seem cheaper in terms of upfront cost.

Acceptance as of Now

Currently, the acceptance of lithium-ion batteries is much higher than lithium-ion batteries. It may take some time to make space in multiple markets. On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries rule the world as these are used in most categories.

Hence, each of these comes with certain advantages and disadvantages. Giving the verdict that one is better without knowing the use case won't be fair. So, the best way to tell if one is better than the other is to know the key requirements.

Conclusion

Every advancement in the battery world comes with certain advantages over previous technologies. While comparing lithium-ion batteries with lithium-ion batteries, you will find certain advantages this new technology brings. However, pricing is one department where these batteries may not make the best choice for everyone, as LiFePO4 batteries are more expensive upfront.