Lithium Polymer (LiPo / LCO) vs. Sodium-Ion (Na-Ion)
Comparing 2 standards across 9 specifications. 9 key differences identified.
Lithium Polymer (LiPo), commonly based on Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LiCoO2 / LCO), packages electrode stacks inside flexible multi-layer aluminum-laminate pouch cells rather than rigid metal cans. Operating at 3.7V–3.85V nominal (with High-Voltage LiHv variants reaching 4.35V–4.45V cutoff), LiPo offers unmatched peak discharge rates (up to 50C–100C continuous) for drones, RC modeling, and ultra-thin mobile hardware.
Sodium-Ion (Na-Ion) chemistry replaces lithium with abundant, low-cost sodium compounds. Operating at 3.0V–3.1V nominal with energy densities of 140–160 Wh/kg, Na-ion cells deliver exceptional low-temperature capacity retention (>85% at -20°C, operable down to -40°C), zero thermal runaway risk at 0V discharge, and use aluminum current collectors on both cathode and anode.
Specification Comparison Table
9 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Nominal Cell Voltage
|
3.70 – 3.85 V | 3.00 – 3.10 V |
|
Gravimetric Energy Density
|
200 – 250 Wh/kg | 130 – 165 Wh/kg |
|
Volumetric Energy Density
|
500 – 650 Wh/L | 260 – 340 Wh/L |
|
Cycle Life (to 80% Capacity)
|
300 – 600 Cycles | 2,000 – 4,000 Cycles |
|
Thermal Runaway Threshold
|
~150 °C | > 260 °C |
|
Operating Temperature Range
|
-10 to +60 °C | -40 to +60 °C |
|
Self-Discharge Rate
|
3 – 5% / Month | 2 – 3% / Month |
|
Primary Anode Material
|
Graphite | Hard Carbon (Biomass-derived Non-graphitizable Carbon) |
|
Primary Cathode Material
|
Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LiCoO2 / LCO) | Prussian White Analogues / Layered Transition Metal Oxides (NaMO2) |