Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNi_xMn_yCo_zO₂)

Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) powder is the layered mixed-metal cathode chemistry that powers the majority of today’s electric vehicles, grid storage systems, and portable electronics. Engineered as free-flowing secondary spherical particles, our NMC powder is available across the full family of industry-standard nickel-manganese-cobalt ratios, from balanced NMC111 to high-energy NMC811. Each lot is produced under tight compositional and particle-size control to deliver consistent tap density, low residual lithium, and reliable electrochemical performance batch after batch. Whether you are formulating research-scale coin cells or qualifying a production electrode line, our technical team can match particle morphology, surface coating, and packaging to your process. Backed by rigorous QC and full certificates of analysis, this material is trusted by battery manufacturers and R&D labs worldwide.

Surface Area (m²/g) :	N/A
Particle Size d₅₀ (μm) :	<3
Purity (%) :	>99.8

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Description

Introduction to Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide Powder

Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC, LiNiₓMnᵧCo₁₋ₓ₋ᵧO₂) is a layered α-NaFeO₂-type cathode material (R-3m) in which Li⁺ ions occupy octahedral layers between transition-metal oxide slabs, enabling reversible lithium intercalation and de-intercalation. Common compositions include NMC111, NMC532, NMC622, and nickel-rich NMC811, with increasing Ni content generally providing higher specific capacity while reducing cobalt usage. Mn and Co help stabilise the layered structure and cycling performance. NMC is supplied as engineered micron-scale secondary particles composed of fine primary crystallites, balancing high tap density, processability, and short lithium-diffusion paths. It is widely used as a cathode active material in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, portable electronics, energy storage systems, and power tools.

FAQs

Question: What are the main applications of NMC?

Answer: NMC is primarily utilized in lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, grid energy storage, and medical devices.

Question: Why is NMC preferred for electric vehicles?

Answer: NMC batteries provide high energy density and excellent thermal stability, allowing for longer driving ranges and faster charging times, making them ideal for electric vehicle applications.

Question: Can NMC be used in high-temperature applications?

Answer: NMC materials generally are stable at a higher temperature but may need their performance to be assessed and evaluated in the context of the application for its safety and effectiveness.

Question: Why is NMC cathode powder made of spherical secondary particles rather than fine single crystals?

Answer: Spherical secondary particles, agglomerates of much smaller primary crystallites, pack more densely and flow more consistently than irregular fine powders, which raises tap density and improves slurry coating uniformity, while the small primary grains still keep lithium-ion diffusion distances short for good rate performance.

Introduction to Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide Powder

Property	Value	Significance
CAS Number	346417-97-8 (reference grade; distinct CAS numbers apply to specific Ni:Mn:Co ratios)	Regulatory identification and procurement documentation
Crystal Structure	Layered alpha-NaFeO2-type, rhombohedral space group R-3m	Defines the two-dimensional lithium-ion diffusion pathways that enable fast, reversible intercalation
Purity	99.5% – 99.9% (metals basis, ratio dependent)	Limits residual lithium compounds and transition-metal impurities that degrade cycling stability and gas generation
Density (true)	~4.7 – 4.8 g/cm3	Determines theoretical maximum volumetric energy density of the finished electrode
Particle Size (D50)	~8 – 13 um (secondary spherical agglomerates)	Balances electrode packing density, slurry rheology, and lithium-ion diffusion length
Tap Density	~2.1 – 2.8 g/cm3	Higher tap density supports denser electrode coatings and greater volumetric capacity
BET Surface Area	~0.3 – 0.6 m2/g	Lower surface area reduces side reactions with electrolyte and residual-lithium formation
Specific Capacity	~150 – 220 mAh/g (ratio and cutoff-voltage dependent)	Directly sets the gravimetric energy density achievable in the finished cell

Property

Value

Significance

CAS Number

346417-97-8 (reference grade; distinct CAS numbers apply to specific Ni:Mn:Co ratios)

Regulatory identification and procurement documentation

Crystal Structure

Layered alpha-NaFeO2-type, rhombohedral space group R-3m

Defines the two-dimensional lithium-ion diffusion pathways that enable fast, reversible intercalation

Purity

99.5% – 99.9% (metals basis, ratio dependent)

Limits residual lithium compounds and transition-metal impurities that degrade cycling stability and gas generation

Density (true)

~4.7 – 4.8 g/cm3

Determines theoretical maximum volumetric energy density of the finished electrode

Particle Size (D50)

~8 – 13 um (secondary spherical agglomerates)

Balances electrode packing density, slurry rheology, and lithium-ion diffusion length

Tap Density

~2.1 – 2.8 g/cm3

Higher tap density supports denser electrode coatings and greater volumetric capacity

BET Surface Area

~0.3 – 0.6 m2/g

Lower surface area reduces side reactions with electrolyte and residual-lithium formation

Specific Capacity

~150 – 220 mAh/g (ratio and cutoff-voltage dependent)

Directly sets the gravimetric energy density achievable in the finished cell

Grade / Form	Typical Purity	Key Features / Uses
NMC111 (LiNi0.33Mn0.33Co0.33O2)	≥99.5%	Balanced 1:1:1 composition; excellent thermal stability and cycle life at moderate capacity (~150 mAh/g); favoured for stationary storage and cost-sensitive applications
NMC532 (LiNi0.5Mn0.3Co0.2O2)	≥99.5%	Higher nickel content lifts capacity toward ~165 mAh/g while retaining good thermal stability; common in early- to mid-generation EV and power-tool cells
NMC622 (LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2)	≥99.8%	Mainstream high-energy grade (~175 mAh/g) offering a strong balance of energy density, cost, and cycle life; widely used in current-generation EV packs
NMC811 (LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2)	≥99.8%	Nickel-rich formulation delivering the highest capacity (>200 mAh/g) and lowest cobalt content; requires surface coating or doping to manage reduced thermal and air stability
Single-crystal / doped Ni-rich custom grades	≥99.9%	Single-crystal or elementally doped and surface-coated Ni-rich NMC engineered for improved cycle life, reduced microcracking, and enhanced thermal safety in premium EV and speciality cells.

Grade / Form

Typical Purity

Key Features / Uses

NMC111 (LiNi0.33Mn0.33Co0.33O2)

≥99.5%

Balanced 1:1:1 composition; excellent thermal stability and cycle life at moderate capacity (~150 mAh/g); favoured for stationary storage and cost-sensitive applications

NMC532 (LiNi0.5Mn0.3Co0.2O2)

≥99.5%

Higher nickel content lifts capacity toward ~165 mAh/g while retaining good thermal stability; common in early- to mid-generation EV and power-tool cells

NMC622 (LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2)

≥99.8%

Mainstream high-energy grade (~175 mAh/g) offering a strong balance of energy density, cost, and cycle life; widely used in current-generation EV packs

NMC811 (LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2)

≥99.8%

Nickel-rich formulation delivering the highest capacity (>200 mAh/g) and lowest cobalt content; requires surface coating or doping to manage reduced thermal and air stability

Single-crystal / doped Ni-rich custom grades

≥99.9%

Single-crystal or elementally doped and surface-coated Ni-rich NMC engineered for improved cycle life, reduced microcracking, and enhanced thermal safety in premium EV and speciality cells.

Industry	Application	Function
Electric Vehicles	Cathode active material in NMC lithium-ion battery cells	Provides high gravimetric and volumetric energy density for extended driving range
Consumer Electronics	Cathode powder for smartphone, laptop, and tablet battery cells	Enables compact, high-capacity cells within tight form-factor constraints
Grid & Stationary Energy Storage	Cathode material for utility-scale and behind-the-meter battery storage systems	Supports cost-effective cycling and load balancing over thousands of charge cycles
Power Tools & Light Electric Vehicles	Cathode material for cordless tool, e-bike, and e-scooter battery packs	Delivers high discharge rates and power density for demanding duty cycles
Aerospace & Speciality Power Systems	Cathode material for lightweight, high-energy battery packs	Meets stringent weight and energy-density requirements of weight-sensitive platforms
Battery R&D & Academic Research	Cathode powder for electrode formulation and half-cell/full-cell testing	Serves as a benchmark chemistry for evaluating new binders, electrolytes, and coatings

Industry

Application

Function

Electric Vehicles

Cathode active material in NMC lithium-ion battery cells

Provides high gravimetric and volumetric energy density for extended driving range

Consumer Electronics

Cathode powder for smartphone, laptop, and tablet battery cells

Enables compact, high-capacity cells within tight form-factor constraints

Grid & Stationary Energy Storage

Cathode material for utility-scale and behind-the-meter battery storage systems

Supports cost-effective cycling and load balancing over thousands of charge cycles