⚗️ Common Battery Chemistries
Battery performance varies significantly depending on the chemistry of the cathode material, affecting energy density, safety, cycle life, and cost. While graphite (C₆) remains the dominant anode, several cathode chemistries are widely used or emerging.
🔋 Cathode Comparison Table
| Chemistry (Cathode) | Energy Density (Wh/kg) | Cycle Life | Safety | Cost | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LFP (LiFePO₄) | ~150 | >2000 cycles | Very High | Low | EVs, Energy Storage |
| NMC (LiNiMnCoO₂) | ~150–220 | ~1500 cycles | Moderate | Medium | EVs, Power Tools |
| NCA (LiNiCoAlO₂) | ~200–250 | ~1000 cycles | Low (TR) | High | High-performance EVs |
| Na-ion | ~100–150 | Moderate | High | Very Low | Grid, Emerging EVs |
| K-ion | ~80–120 | Moderate | Moderate | Very Low | Research Stage |
🔍 Summary
- LFP: Safe and thermally stable, ideal for EVs and stationary storage.
- NMC: Balanced trade-off between density and cycle life, used in many EVs.
- NCA: High energy density but lower safety, used in Tesla vehicles.
- Na-ion: Lower cost and high safety, emerging for grid-scale storage.
- K-ion: Promising research-stage alternative for future low-cost batteries.
Key Takeaway: While Li-ion remains dominant, sodium-ion and potassium-ion technologies are gaining interest for cost-sensitive and large-scale applications.