Lithium Vanadium Phosphate Battery
A lithium vanadium phosphate (LVP) battery is a type of battery that utilizes lithium ions in the anode and vanadium phosphate in the cathode, with higher energy density than earlier lithium ion batteries. Incorporation of vanadium in its structure allows increased energy density.
How it works
A battery's main function is to transform chemical energy into electrical energy. The LVP battery does this using two half cells called the anode and cathode. The anode contains the lithium ions, and the cathode contains vanadium phosphate. When the battery is connected to a circuit, lithium ions flow through the circuit from the anode to the cathode, and electrons flow from the cathode to the anode, providing power to the circuit. The flow of electrons is created due to the difference of voltage between the lithium ions and the vanadium phosphate in the two half cells. The vanadium phosphate maintains the voltage differential between the two half cells, while the transfer of lithium ions allows electrons to be released to produce electrical energy.
An LVP battery is rechargeable, able to transform electrical energy into chemical energy. When energy is put into the battery, electrons will flow in the opposite direction, pushing the lithium ions in the opposite direction. This will essentially reset the battery, making it ready for use once again.[1]
Components
Phosphates
The use of phosphates in the battery makes it cheaper, because phosphates are relatively inexpensive. They also posses much higher redox potentials, so more energy can be gathered from them in the battery. The difference in redox potentials means that more electrons can be passed from cathode to anode per lithium ion that transfers over. So if more electrons are passed over then more electrical energy is produced, and more work can be done. Phosphates also display good electrochemical and thermal stability, so they are not dangerous to users. When batteries are being recharged they oftentimes produce heat, which can be dangerous. The use of phosphates in the battery make it more safe because it stays cooler while recharging.[2]
Vanadium
The use of vanadium in the cathode of the lithium-ion battery allows the reaction within the battery to release more energy in the forward direction and to move more quickly in the backward direction. So while in use the battery has more stored energy, and after use it can be recharged at a much faster rate. The use of vanadium also allows the battery to be in use as well as recharging at the same time.[3]
Vanadium phosphates are located in the sink of the cathode. The sink is the aqueous part of the cathode that contains many negative anions. The sink must maintain a certain voltage and concentration of vanadium phosphates in order to keep the correct voltage for the battery. The structure of vanadium phosphates provide a much higher capacity for lithium ions to bind to it. So it greatly increases the cycling of lithium ions in both the forward and backward reactions. So the special structure of vanadium phosphates make lithium ion batteries much more efficient.[2]
Commercial use
Applications
The LVP battery supplies a higher voltage of 4.7 to 4.8 volts than other lithium batteries such as the 3.7 volt lithium cobalt oxide battery. According to a manufacturer, when used to power electric vehicles the higher voltage provides superior power and acceleration, and longer range because of increased capacity. The LVP battery is smaller than other types for the same energy, allowing electric vehicles to be lighter-weight.[4]
Waste
LVP batteries are claimed to last longer than other types.[4] When disposed of at the end of their working life, the use of phosphates makes LVP batteries much less toxic than other lithium ion batteries, such as those using a cobalt oxide or magnesium oxide instead of a phosphate.[5]
Risks
Lithium-ion batteries have exploded or caused fires. One risk situation is charging, which produces heat. LVP batteries charge at lower temperatures[citation needed] so they are less prone to explode.
The structural transitions relating to electron and Li-ion location and transport were not fully understood as of 2014[update], so there remained some risk and hazard to using these batteries.[6]
References
- ^ Whittingham, Stanley (2004). "Lithium Batteries and Chemical Reviews". Chemical Reviews. 104 (10): 4302.
{{cite journal}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b Mai, Liqiang. "Electrospun Ultralong Hierarchical Vanadium Oxide Nanowires with High Performance for Lithium Ion Batteries". Nano letters.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ American Vanadium Corp. "Lithium Vanadium Phosphate Battery". Retrieved 10/22/13.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b Pacific Ore Mining Corp. "LVP". Retrieved 11/12/13.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Bruno, Alessandro. "Can Phosphate resolve the Boeing 787's Li-ion Battery Problem?". Investor Intel. Retrieved 11/7/13.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Yin, Shih-Chieh. "Charge Ordering in Lithium Vanadium Phosphates: Electrodes Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries". Journal of the American Chemical Society.
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