Technology Development of Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery

In the past three years, with the reduction of policy subsidies, the advantages of lithium iron phosphate batteries in terms of cost and safety have gradually emerged. The installed capacity of the market has risen rapidly, and the market share has increased year by year. In 2021, the installed capacity of ternary batteries will be surpassed. The share of power batteries in the first half increased to 55%.

The installed capacity of power batteries in China still maintains a high-speed growth trend, and the compound annual growth rate will reach 49% by 2025. Driven by the rapid growth of new energy vehicles in China, the installed capacity of power batteries in China will reach 110.1GWh in the first half of 2022, a year-on-year increase of 109.8%.

The installed capacity of power batteries in China has maintained a high-speed growth trend, and the compound annual growth rate will reach 49% by 2025. Driven by the rapid growth of new energy vehicles in China, the installed capacity of power batteries in China will reach 110.1GWh in the first half of 2022, a year-on-year increase of 109.8%.

In terms of high specific energy, the energy density of a single ternary soft pack battery can reach up to 300Wh/kg. At present, the specific energy of a ternary square shell battery is close to 300Wh/kg, and the energy density of the system has reached 255Wh/kg. The energy density of the lithium iron phosphate blade (square) battery is close to 170Wh/kg, and the system energy density exceeds 140Wh/kg. The specific energy of the ternary soft pack battery has reached 300Wh/kg, and the energy density of the system has reached nearly 220Wh/kg.

In terms of high safety, at this stage, lithium iron phosphate batteries mainly improve the safety performance of batteries by using three methods: body safety, process safety, and fire safety. The safety of the battery mainly depends on the modification and coating of non-flammable and non-flammable electrolytes, high-melting point separators and positive electrode materials to improve the safety of the battery itself.

In terms of long life, the service life of lithium iron phosphate batteries is generally higher than that of ternary batteries. The lithium iron phosphate blade battery has a service life of more than 5000 times, followed by the ternary soft pack battery with a service life of more than 3000 times, the square battery with a service life of more than 2000 times, and the cylindrical battery with a slightly lower service life of about 1000 times.

In terms of fast charging performance, lithium iron phosphate materials have good ion and electron migration rates after technical improvements such as grain refinement, surface carbon coating, and unit cell element doping, which are suitable for fast charging. The ternary battery rate is developing from the current 2C to 5C rate, and the charging time is shortened by 60%. Many companies are increasing the speed of ternary battery charging, and improving the battery’s fast charging performance by increasing the charging voltage and the battery’s high current tolerance.