# Ni-rich NMC: more capacity, less stability

> NMC cathodes replace most of LiCoO₂’s cobalt with nickel and some manganese, all sharing one layer of the same structure. They are made by co-precipitating a mixed hydroxide as dense spheres and then heating it with a lithium salt. The more nickel, the more capacity, as NMC811 shows; but retention and thermal stability fall with it, and particles crack along their grain boundaries as they cycle.

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- Updated: 2026-10-14
- Category: Battery materials
- Method: Layered oxide cathode
- Starting materials: Ni, Mn and Co sulfates co-precipitated as a mixed hydroxide, e.g. Ni₀.₈Mn₀.₁Co₀.₁(OH)₂; then a lithium salt
- Product: Layered LiNi₀.₈Mn₀.₁Co₀.₁O₂ (NMC811) as spherical secondary particles of small primary grains
- Key result: Curves are schematic, showing the trend: more nickel, more capacity, faster fading
- Figure: 1920 × 1080 px, 60 editable layers (6 generated objects with settings)

## Steps

1. **Co-precipitation**: The mixed hydroxide grows as dense spheres of plate-like primary particles
2. **Lithiation**: Heated with a lithium salt (in oxygen for Ni-rich grades) into the layered oxide
3. **Same structure**: Ni, Mn and Co share the transition-metal layer of the LiCoO₂ (R-3m) structure
4. **Trade-off**: From x = ⅓ to 0.85 in Li[NiₓCoᵧMn₁₋ₓ₋ᵧ]O₂, capacity rises while capacity retention and thermal stability fall (Noh et al. 2013)

## Strengths

- High capacity and energy density
- Less cobalt

## Limitations

- Capacity fades faster as nickel rises
- Lower thermal stability
- Particles crack along grain boundaries; surfaces turn rock-salt-like

## Uses

- Electric vehicles

## References

1. Noh, Youn, Yoon & Sun, “Comparison of the structural and electrochemical properties of layered Li[NixCoyMnz]O2 (x = 1/3, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 and 0.85) cathode material for lithium-ion batteries”, J. Power Sources 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2013.01.063 (primary)
2. Whittingham, “Lithium Batteries and Cathode Materials”, Chem. Rev. 2004. https://doi.org/10.1021/cr020731c (review)
3. Mizushima, Jones, Wiseman & Goodenough, “LixCoO2 (0<x≤1): A new cathode material for batteries of high energy density”, Mater. Res. Bull. 1980. https://doi.org/10.1016/0025-5408(80)90012-4 (further reading)

Credit: After Noh et al., J. Power Sources 2013 (doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2013.01.063). Crystal from the layered structure with Ni, Mn, Co placed at random; particles and curves schematic.

## Questions

**What does the “Ni-rich NMC: more capacity, less stability” template show?** NMC cathodes replace most of LiCoO₂’s cobalt with nickel and some manganese, all sharing one layer of the same structure. They are made by co-precipitating a mixed hydroxide as dense spheres and then heating it with a lithium salt. The more nickel, the more capacity, as NMC811 shows; but retention and thermal stability fall with it, and particles crack along their grain boundaries as they cycle.

**What are the steps shown in “Ni-rich NMC: more capacity, less stability”?** 1. Co-precipitation: The mixed hydroxide grows as dense spheres of plate-like primary particles. 2. Lithiation: Heated with a lithium salt (in oxygen for Ni-rich grades) into the layered oxide. 3. Same structure: Ni, Mn and Co share the transition-metal layer of the LiCoO₂ (R-3m) structure. 4. Trade-off: From x = ⅓ to 0.85 in Li[NiₓCoᵧMn₁₋ₓ₋ᵧ]O₂, capacity rises while capacity retention and thermal stability fall (Noh et al. 2013).

**What are the starting materials and the product?** Starting materials: Ni, Mn and Co sulfates co-precipitated as a mixed hydroxide, e.g. Ni₀.₈Mn₀.₁Co₀.₁(OH)₂; then a lithium salt. Product: Layered LiNi₀.₈Mn₀.₁Co₀.₁O₂ (NMC811) as spherical secondary particles of small primary grains.

**Which papers is “Ni-rich NMC: more capacity, less stability” based on?** Noh, Youn, Yoon & Sun, “Comparison of the structural and electrochemical properties of layered Li[NixCoyMnz]O2 (x = 1/3, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 and 0.85) cathode material for lithium-ion batteries”, J. Power Sources 2013 (doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2013.01.063); Whittingham, “Lithium Batteries and Cathode Materials”, Chem. Rev. 2004 (doi:10.1021/cr020731c); Mizushima, Jones, Wiseman & Goodenough, “LixCoO2 (0<x≤1): A new cathode material for batteries of high energy density”, Mater. Res. Bull. 1980 (doi:10.1016/0025-5408(80)90012-4).

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