LiCoO₂ has conquered the cathode market for lithium ion batteries; recently the mixed transition metal oxide lithium nickel manganese cobalt dioxide have gained attention due to their superior electrochemical properties, better thermal stability, and lower cost. Nickel-rich compositions of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) have been developed as promising high-energy, high-voltage and improved rate cathode materials capable of significantly increasing the energy density of lithium-ion batteries.

Here we report a systematic comparative study on rate capability, charge discharge behavior and nickel/lithium mixing of the nickel-rich layered oxides, NMC622, NMC811 and NCA. The results showed that both NMC622 and NMC811 have pure hexagonal layered phase with Ni/Li mixing below 4%. Both samples have similar specific capacity of about 220 mAh/g at current densities, C/10; however, NMC811 demonstrated superior electrochemical performance compared to NMC611 at higher rates. The 622 sample showed a strong dependence on the electrode loading, higher electrode loading above 15 mg/cm² had poor performance compared to lower loading at the same current density in mA/cm² while NMC811 sample does not show such loading dependence. This work was supported by the DOE-EERE-Battery500 consortium.