Cell Design and Materials: Li-Ion

Impact of Nickel Content on the Performance and Applications of NCM and NCA Cathodes Ni%

NCM 5-series*

NCM 6-series

NCM 8-series

NCM 9-series

NCA 8-series

Polycrystal

Single Crystal

Polycrystal

Single Crystal

Polycrystal

Single Crystal

Polycrystal

Single Crystal

Capacity (mAh/g)

Price USD/mt 12/07/25 and %↑since 01/02/25

18,027.7 32.7%↑ NEV

18,046.4 24.6%↑ NEV

20,168.8 32.4%↑ NEV

Process difficulty

High-Ni materials must be annealed in O2, whereas mid-Ni materials can be annealed in air. High-Ni materials require LiOH as the lithium source, while mid-Ni materials can use Li2CO3; LiOH may lead to equipment corrosion. High-Ni materials are more sensitive to humidity compared to mid-Ni materials, resulting in higher lithium residuals.

Advantage

Good performance balance and relatively low cost

Moderate energy density, good cycle life, and safety

High energy density, high stability

High energy density and therefore lower cost per kWh

Good energy density, good rate capability, better stability

Applications

EV, 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers, Consumer electronics

EV, Consumer electronics

EV, Drone, eVTOL, Consumer electronics, Robotics, Low earth orbit LEO) satellites

Drone, eVTOL, Robot, Solid State Battery

EV, Powertools, Low earth orbit LEO satellites

5-series means there are 50% Ni in the composition Source: MTI, MSE, Fangzheng Report, SMM

Extracted from the PDF; charts and images may read imperfectly.