Comparison of cobalt and lithium usage in energy storage batteries

Why were lithium cobalt batteries initially shelved?

Lithium cobalt batteries were initially shelved because of their poor safety. Lithium titanate batteries and lithium manganese batteries were discarded because of their low energy storage density, leaving only NCM and LFP batteries to enter the mainstream market.

Why is cobalt used in lithium ion batteries?

The use of cobalt in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) traces back to the well-known LiCoO 2 (LCO) cathode, which offers high conductivity and stable structural stability throughout charge cycling.

What are the materials used in lithium batteries?

According to different materials, lithium batteries are divided into lithium titanate, lithium cobalt, lithium manganese oxide, nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP). NCM battery and LFP battery are the most popular and famous batteries around the world.

Why did lithium titanate and lithium cobalt batteries get discarded?

Lithium titanate batteries and lithium manganese batteries were discarded because of their low energy storage density. Meanwhile, lithium cobalt batteries were shelved because of their poor safety, leaving only NCM and LFP batteries to enter the mainstream market.

Which battery technology is best for energy storage?

With its high energy density, lithium is currently the dominant battery technology for energy storage. Lithium comes in a wide variety of chemistry combinations, which can be somewhat daunting to choose from, with Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) having the highest levels of maturity.

What drives the lithium & cobalt market?

Both the lithium and cobalt markets have historically been driven by battery demand – primarily from consumer electronics – representing 40 percent and 25 percent of demand respectively in 2017.