Lithium Energy Japan Advances LiMnPO4 Battery Development

Lithium Energy Japan, Kyoto headed joint venture to manufacture large size lithium ion batteries, advances development of lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery using lithium manganese phosphate (LiMnPO4) anode, which is expected to be loaded on next generation cars. The firm confirmed energy density increases by 18% at LiMnPO4 battery compared with preliminarily developed lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. LiMnPO4 battery also represents high stability. The firm aims to commercialize the battery for electric vehicle (EV) and other type next generation cars, for those which long-distance travelling performance is required.

Lithium Energy Japan has already developed LiFePO4 anode battery with 25Ah capacity, “LEV25,” for plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) and started sample provision to users. LEV25’s degradation is only 10% even after 1,000 cycle use under high temperature at 45 Celsius degrees. This high durability is appreciated by users.

Meanwhile, LiMnPO4 anode battery showed 18.3% higher energy density than LiFePO4 battery under the test by the company. LiMnPO4 particle’s net, so-called carbon network, generates and grows on surface of carbon layer inside Li-ion battery. Carbon network contributes to higher charge and discharge performances.

There are several potential anode materials for next generation automotive Li-ion batteries, those which are manganese, nickel-manganese-cobalt composite oxide and LiFePO4. Lithium Energy Japan presently supplies manganese anode Li-ion battery with 50Ah capacity, “LEV50,” for Mitsubishi Motors’ EV “i-MiEV.”