AC6752 LiNiCoMnO2 (NCM111) Single Side Coated Cathode Electrode Disc

LiNiCoMnO2 (NCM111) Single Side Coated Cathode Electrode Disc Description

LiNiCoMnO2 (NCM) is a layered oxide cathode material characterized by its crystallographic structure in the *R-3m* space group, forming a hexagonal lattice that enables efficient lithium-ion diffusion during electrochemical cycling. The material integrates lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese oxides, with the transition metal ratios (e.g., Ni: Co: Mn = 1:1:1 in NCM111) directly influencing its electrochemical behavior. Higher nickel content variants, such as NCM811 (LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2), prioritize energy density (~250 mAh/g) but face challenges like oxygen loss at elevated temperatures and lattice instability during cycling. The layered α-NaFeO2 framework provides accessible pathways for lithium-ion migration, though structural degradation mechanisms—such as phase transitions (e.g., O3→O1) and microcrack formation due to anisotropic volume changes (~5% strain)—remain critical limitations.

Advanced modifications address these issues by stabilizing the material’s atomic architecture. Surface coatings, such as sodium phytate (PN), form protective barriers that mitigate electrolyte decomposition and suppress oxygen release at high voltages (up to 4.6 V), significantly delaying thermal runaway onset temperatures (from 125.9°C to 184.8°C). High-entropy doping strategies—incorporating elements like titanium, magnesium, and niobium into the crystal lattice—enhance mechanical resilience by reducing axial strain (<0.5%) and preventing crack propagation, achieving "zero-strain" behavior that preserves structural integrity over extended cycling (e.g., 95% capacity retention after 500 cycles)5. Nanostructuring techniques, such as walnut-shaped nanosheets with exposed {010} active facets, optimize ion transport kinetics, lowering interfacial resistance and improving rate performance (e.g., 131.23 mAh/g at 10C).

Thermal stability is further enhanced through dual-anion doping (e.g., fluorine and sulfur), which reinforces oxygen frameworks and suppresses oxygen loss, enabling high-capacity variants to maintain robust thermal properties. For instance, high-entropy-doped NCM exhibits thermal runaway onset temperatures comparable to lower-nickel NCM variants, a critical advancement for safety. Chemically, the material’s stability is attributed to the synergistic effects of multiple dopants, which trap oxygen defects and inhibit harmful phase transitions, ensuring long-term electrochemical durability even under high-voltage operation (4.6-4.9 V). These innovations collectively position NCM as a chemically tunable platform, balancing energy density with structural and thermal resilience for next-generation energy storage systems.

LiNiCoMnO2 (NCM111) Single Side Coated Cathode Electrode Disc Applications

1. Electric Vehicles (EVs): NCM is a core cathode material for EV power batteries. High-nickel variants like NCM811 (LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2) achieve enhanced thermal stability and cycle life through surface modifications (e.g., sodium phytate coatings) and elemental doping (e.g., Ti, Mg, Nb). Modified NCM811 pouch cells exhibit a 45% increase in thermal runaway onset temperature (from 125.9°C to 184.8°C) and superior capacity retention after 700 cycles at 4.6V. Recycled NCM111 materials demonstrate exceptional longevity, with 70% capacity retention over 11,600 cycles in 1 Ah pouch cells, outperforming commercial counterparts.

2. Energy Storage Systems (ESS): NCM-based materials, such as lithium-rich manganese cathodes (Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2), are ideal for grid-scale energy storage due to their high capacity (>250 mAh/g) and low cost. Optimized compaction density (≥3.0 g/cm3) and lithium-enhancing strategies (e.g., LiYO2 coatings) boost energy density to 400 Wh/kg, improving the economic viability of renewable energy integration.

3. High-Power Devices: Nanostructured NCM materials, such as walnut-shaped nanosheets with exposed {010} active facets, enhance lithium-ion diffusion kinetics, delivering 131.23 mAh/g at 10C discharge rates. These are critical for power tools, drones, and hybrid electric vehicles. Ammonium sulfate-assisted synthesis of NCM111 further improves rate capability by optimizing pore structures and minimizing Li/Ni cation mixing.

4. Consumer Electronics: High-voltage NCM variants (up to 4.9V cutoff) with cerium oxide (CeO2) coatings suppress oxygen release and electrolyte decomposition, extending battery lifespan in smartphones, laptops, and wearables. Modified NCM maintains stable cycling even at 4.9V, significantly improving capacity retention.

5. Battery Recycling & Upcycling: Closed-loop recycling processes regenerate NCM from spent batteries, often outperforming virgin materials. Recycled NCM111 pouch cells achieve over 11,600 cycles with 70% capacity retention, while upgraded single-crystal NCM111 from recycled LiCoO₂ delivers 159 mAh/g (0.1C) and 82.1% retention after 200 cycles, compatible with commercial standards.

6. Supercapacitors & Hybrid Systems: NCM-derived heterostructures (e.g., NiCo-MOF@MnO2/AC electrodes) enable asymmetric supercapacitors with high specific capacitance (15.2 F/cm2) and energy density (1.191 mWh/cm2), suitable for rapid energy delivery in hybrid systems.

LiNiCoMnO2 (NCM111) Single Side Coated Cathode Electrode Disc Packaging

Our products are packaged in customized cartons of various sizes based on the material dimensions. Small items are securely packed in PP boxes, while larger items are placed in custom wooden crates. We ensure strict adherence to packaging customization and the use of appropriate cushioning materials to provide optimal protection during transportation.

Packaging: Stored in a vacuum box, a vacuum oven or a glove box to avoid degradation. Carton, Wooden Box, or Customized.

Kindly review the packaging details provided for your reference.

Manufacturing Process

1.       Testing Method

(1)    Chemical Composition Analysis - Verified using techniques such as GDMS or XRF to ensure compliance with purity requirements.

(2)    Mechanical Properties Testing - Includes tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation tests to assess material performance.

(3)    Dimensional Inspection - Measures thickness, width, and length to ensure adherence to specified tolerances.

(4)    Surface Quality Inspection - Checks for defects such as scratches, cracks, or inclusions through visual and ultrasonic examination.

(5)    Hardness Testing - Determines material hardness to confirm uniformity and mechanical reliability.

Please refer to the SAM testing procedures for detailed information.

LiNiCoMnO2 (NCM111) Single Side Coated Cathode Electrode Disc FAQs

Q1. Why is high nickel content used in NCM?

High-nickel variants (e.g., NCM811) boost energy density (~250 mAh/g) but face challenges like oxygen loss at high voltages (>4.5V) and structural degradation. Innovations like surface coatings (e.g., sodium phytate) and doping (e.g., Ti, Mg) mitigate these issues, improving thermal stability and cycle life.

Q2. How does NCM enhance battery safety?

Modifications such as sodium phytate coatings delay thermal runaway onset temperatures by 45% (125.9°C→184.8°C), while high-entropy doping reduces lattice strain (<0.5%) to prevent cracks. These strategies ensure structural integrity even under extreme conditions.

Q3. How does NCM compare to LFP or LCO cathodes?

NCM offers higher energy density than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) but requires stabilization for safety. Compared to lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), it reduces cobalt reliance and costs while maintaining performance.

Related Information

1.       Common Preparation Methods

LiNiCoMnO2 (NCM) cathode materials are synthesized through techniques such as solid-state reaction, co-precipitation, and sol-gel methods, each tailored to achieve precise stoichiometric control and structural homogeneity. The solid-state route involves mechanical mixing of lithium salts (e.g., LiOH or Li2CO3) with transition metal oxides (NiO, Co3O4, MnO2), followed by high-temperature calcination (800-1000°C) in oxygen-rich atmospheres. While cost-effective, this method often yields irregular particle morphologies and incomplete cation mixing, necessitating post-synthesis treatments like ball milling or secondary annealing to refine crystallinity.

Co-precipitation, widely used for industrial-scale production, generates uniform precursors by precipitating transition metal hydroxides (NiCoMn(OH)2) from aqueous metal nitrate/sulfate solutions under controlled pH (10-12) and temperature (50-60°C). The precursor is then lithiated and sintered to form layered NCM structures, enabling precise control over particle size (5-15 μm) and cation distribution. Advanced variants, such as ammonia-assisted co-precipitation, minimize residual alkali content (<0.1 wt%) and enhance compositional uniformity.

Sol-gel synthesis achieves atomic-level homogeneity by chelating metal ions (Ni2+, Co2+, Mn2+) with organic ligands (e.g., citric acid) to form a polymeric gel, which decomposes into nanostructured NCM (e.g., nanosheets, porous frameworks) during low-temperature calcination (600-800°C). Post-synthesis modifications, including atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al2O3 or wet-chemical coating of sodium phytate (PN), stabilize the material’s surface against electrolyte decomposition and oxygen release.

Emerging methods like molten-salt synthesis and spray pyrolysis produce single-crystalline NCM particles with minimized grain boundaries, effectively mitigating microcrack formation during cycling. High-entropy doping strategies—incorporating elements such as Ti, Mg, and Nb during precursor synthesis—reinforce lattice stability and induce "zero-strain" behavior (axial strain <0.5%), significantly improving mechanical resilience. These approaches collectively balance scalability, cost, and performance, enabling NCM to meet the demands of high-energy-density applications while addressing challenges in thermal and structural stability.