NMC

Example

Use in Lemonergy

Separate chemistry from form factor.

This is a reference concept. No executable Lemonergy block has been verified for this term.

Learn it in Lesson 1 · Cell anatomy →

Connected concepts

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Cathode active material

The lithium-containing compound in the positive electrode — NMC, NCA, LFP or LCO powder — that supplies the cell’s cyclable lithium. It is the most expensive material in most cells and sets the nominal voltage and much of the energy density.

Cobalt

The metal that stabilises layered-oxide cathodes, mined largely in the Democratic Republic of Congo under scrutiny for working conditions. Its price and ethics have driven the industry from LCO and NMC111 towards high-nickel and cobalt-free LFP.

High-nickel cathode

A layered oxide with 80 % or more nickel, such as NMC811 or NCA. Nickel raises capacity and lowers cobalt content, but the material is less thermally stable, more sensitive to moisture and ages faster at high voltage.

LFP

A positive electrode material, LiFePO₄, giving cells a nominal voltage around 3.2 V, long cycle life and good thermal stability, but less energy per kilogram than nickel-rich oxides. Its flat voltage curve makes state of charge hard to read from voltage alone.

NCA

A layered-oxide positive material, LiNi₀.₈Co₀.₁₅Al₀.₀₅O₂ in its classic form, with aluminium in place of the manganese of NMC. It offers high specific energy and is associated with long-range electric cars built from cylindrical cells.

References & further reading

Technical references

1. A reflection on lithium-ion battery cathode chemistry

   Arumugam Manthiram · Nature Communications · 2020

   Technical reference · Layered oxides, spinels and polyanion cathodes; links between composition, structure and performance.