How Do Lithium-Ion and LiFePO4 Chargers Differ Chemically? Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries use distinct cathode materials. Li-ion batteries typically employ cobalt oxide or manganese oxide, while LiFePO4 uses iron phosphate. This… Are Lithium-Ion and LiFePO4 Chargers the Same? Understanding the Differences and Similarities