The Contest Between Two Mainstream Lithium-Ion Batteries: Ternary Lithium Batteries and Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries​

In today's world where energy storage devices are widely used, lithium-ion batteries have become an indispensable energy carrier in our lives. Among them, ternary lithium batteries and lithium iron phosphate batteries are the two most widely applied technical routes. Just like the two sides of a coin, they each have their own advantages and disadvantages, and are suitable for different application scenarios.​

The core difference between the two lies in their cathode materials. The cathode of a ternary lithium battery is composed of three metal elements: nickel, cobalt, and manganese (or nickel, cobalt, and aluminum), while the cathode of a lithium iron phosphate battery is centered on lithium iron phosphate. This difference in materials directly determines their performance focus: ternary lithium batteries pursue "high energy efficiency", while lithium iron phosphate batteries focus on "high safety".​

Ternary lithium batteries have prominent advantages. Their energy density is much higher than that of lithium iron phosphate batteries, enabling them to store more electrical energy. In addition, they exhibit excellent low-temperature performance, maintaining more than 70% of their capacity even in extremely cold environments of -20°C, and they also have a faster charging speed. Therefore, they are suitable for users who have high requirements for energy storage efficiency and energy supplement efficiency. However, their shortcomings are equally obvious: they have poor thermal stability, with a risk of fire and explosion in high-temperature environments or during overcharging; their cycle life is approximately 1,000-1,500 cycles; and they rely on precious metals such as cobalt and nickel, resulting in relatively high costs.​

Lithium iron phosphate batteries, on the other hand, are synonymous with "safety and durability". They have extremely strong thermal stability, and even in extreme situations such as puncture and short circuit, they are less likely to experience thermal runaway, achieving maximum safety. At the same time, their cycle life can reach 2,000-3,000 cycles, leading to a longer service life. Moreover, they do not contain cobalt or nickel, making their raw materials easily accessible and their costs lower. They also show more stable performance in high-temperature environments, so they are widely used in energy storage power stations. Nevertheless, their shortcomings are quite obvious: they have lower energy density; their low-temperature performance is weak, with a significant capacity attenuation when the temperature is below -10°C; and their charging speed is slightly slower. Thus, they are more suitable for scenarios where safety and usage costs are the primary concerns.​

Choosing between the two types of batteries essentially depends on weighing one's needs. For users in northern regions who value performance in winter, ternary lithium batteries are a better choice; for users in southern regions who prioritize safety and durability, lithium iron phosphate batteries offer higher cost-effectiveness. With the continuous advancement of technology, the gap between the two is gradually narrowing. In the future, the lithium-ion battery industry will surely move towards the integrated direction of "high energy efficiency + high safety", providing more reliable energy support for our lives.