Environmental Impact

Battle of Batteries: Lithium-Ion vs Alternative Chemistries

21 July 2023

6 Min Read

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Key Takeaways

Lithium-ion batteries are the current dominant battery technology, but they have some limitations in terms of sustainability, safety, and performance.

Alternative battery chemistries, such as zinc-air, iron-air, solid-state, and sodium-ion batteries, offer some potential advantages over lithium-ion batteries in terms of sustainability, safety, and performance.

The continued development of alternative battery chemistries is promising for a more sustainable and efficient future.

Introduction

Lithium-ion batteries have emerged as the frontrunner in the world of energy storage, transforming the way we power our devices, vehicles, and renewable energy storage systems. However, as the demand for longer-lasting, more sustainable, and safer energy storage solutions increases, researchers are now exploring alternative battery chemistries. In this article, we will delve into four contenders: zinc air, iron air, solid-state and sodium batteries, comparing them against the established Lithium-ion technology.

Zinc Air vs Lithium Ion

Zinc Air batteries use a Zinc anode and oxygen from the air as the cathode, which makes them lightweight and inexpensive to produce. They also have a higher theoretical energy density than Lithium-ion batteries, meaning they can store more energy per unit of weight or volume.

One of the main challenges facing zinc air batteries is that they have a limited lifespan and can only be charged and discharged a certain number of times before their performance starts to degrade. Additionally, zinc air batteries can be affected by moisture and high temperatures, which can shorten their lifespan and reduce their performance.

Despite these challenges, zinc air batteries are being developed for specific applications, such as hearing aids and other medical devices, where their lightweight, higher theoretical energy and low cost make them an attractive option. Additionally, research is being done to improve their lifespan and performance, which could make them a viable alternative to Lithium-ion batteries in the future, especially in the medical industry.

Iron Air vs Lithium Ion

Iron-air batteries operate based on a chemical reaction between iron and oxygen, utilising oxygen from the air we breathe as a reactant. One notable advantage of iron-air batteries is their potentially higher energy density. Iron is an abundant and cost-effective material, making these batteries more accessible and economical in the long run.

Safety is another area where iron-air batteries shine. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, which can be prone to thermal runaway and potential hazards, iron-air batteries are inherently safer due to the absence of flammable electrolytes or volatile components. This reduced risk of fire or explosion makes them an attractive option for applications where safety is a paramount concern.

However, iron-air batteries are not without their challenges. One significant limitation is the relatively slower recharge rate compared to lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion technology has matured over the years, enabling rapid charging and discharging cycles. In contrast, iron-air batteries currently face hurdles in achieving comparable charge rates. Research efforts are underway to improve the rechargeability and overall performance of iron-air batteries to make them more competitive in the market.

Additionally, the commercial viability of iron-air batteries is still a work in progress. While lithium-ion batteries have a well-established infrastructure and manufacturing processes, iron-air batteries are in the early stages of development.

With their higher energy density, enhanced safety and lower cost due to abundant iron resources, iron-air batteries could find their niche in various applications. Continued research and development efforts are essential to optimise the rechargeability and manufacturing processes, paving the way for a future where iron-air batteries might compete with lithium-ion batteries in high-performance applications, such as electric vehicles and grid storage.

Solid-state vs Lithium Ion

Solid-state batteries represent another innovative direction in battery technology, employing a solid electrolyte instead of the liquid or gel electrolyte found in Lithium-ion batteries. This makes them safer, as there is no risk of electrolyte leakage or thermal runaway, which can cause fires or explosions. Solid-state batteries also have the potential for higher energy density, longer lifespan and faster charging times than lithium-ion batteries.

One challenge facing solid-state batteries is that they are currently more expensive to produce than lithium-ion batteries. However, researchers are working to optimise production processes and reduce costs. Additionally, because solid-state batteries can operate at higher temperatures, they could potentially be used in high-performance applications, such as electric vehicles or grid storage.

While solid-state batteries offer several advantages over lithium-ion batteries, such as increased safety and potentially higher energy density, lithium-ion batteries remain the dominant battery technology due to their established manufacturing processes, wide use and continued research and development. However, as research continues and production costs decrease, solid-state batteries may become a viable alternative for high-performance applications, such as electric vehicles or grid storage.

Sodium Ion vs Lithium Ion

While sodium-ion batteries share some chemical properties with their lithium-ion counterparts, they have several key differences that limit their applicability. The first major challenge is that sodium-ion batteries have lower energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries, meaning they store less energy per unit of weight or volume. This makes sodium-ion batteries less suitable for portable applications, such as smartphones and laptops, where lightweight and high-energy density batteries are necessary.

Another challenge faced by sodium-ion batteries is that their electrodes tend to degrade faster than those in lithium-ion batteries, reducing their overall performance and lifespan. This means that sodium-ion batteries may not be as cost-effective in the long run, as they may require more frequent replacement.

Furthermore, there is less R&D being done on sodium-ion batteries compared to lithium-ion batteries, which means that there is less understanding of how to optimise performance while reducing costs. Lithium-ion batteries have been extensively researched and developed over the years, resulting in improvements in energy density, safety and cost.

While sodium-ion batteries have some potential advantages over lithium-ion batteries in terms of abundance and affordability, their lower energy density and faster electrode degradation make them less suitable for many applications. However, with targeted R&D, sodium-ion batteries could become a cost-effective option for specific applications, such as large-scale energy storage systems, where weight and energy density are less of a concern.

Conclusion

While Lithium-ion batteries have reigned supreme as the go-to battery technology, the exploration of alternative chemistries brings promise for a more sustainable and efficient future. Zinc air batteries offer higher energy density and lower costs for specific applications, Iron Air batteries excel in safety and potentially higher energy density, solid-state batteries present enhanced safety and performance, and sodium-ion batteries showcase abundance and affordability. Nevertheless, lithium-ion batteries maintain their dominance due to their widespread use, established infrastructure, and ongoing advancements.

As research continues, improvements in alternative battery technologies may pave the way for their broader adoption in diverse applications, driving us towards a future powered by increasingly efficient and sustainable energy storage solutions.