HOST STRUCTURES

Rooms for lithium to live in

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Layered

Sheets of metal oxide with lithium between them: LCO, NMC, NCA

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Spinel

A 3D network of tunnels: LMO

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Olivine

A sturdy phosphate frame with 1D channels: LFP

The crystal shape decides how much lithium fits and how easily it moves.

COMPARE THEM

No cathode wins at everything

Energy, cost, safety, cycle life and power pull in different directions. Click each cathode and watch the trade-offs change.

Pick the cathode that matches the product.

THE NUMBERS

Typical cathode figures

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LCO About 140–150 mAh/g at about 3.9 V

NMC 811 About 190–200 mAh/g at about 3.7–3.8 V

NCA About 190–200 mAh/g at about 3.7 V

LFP About 155–165 mAh/g at about 3.3 V (theoretical 170)

LMO About 100–120 mAh/g at about 4.0 V

Capacity × voltage sets energy per gram of cathode.

THE NICKEL STORY

More nickel, less cobalt

NMC names give the ratio of nickel, manganese and cobalt: NMC 111 is equal parts, NMC 811 is 80% nickel. Nickel adds capacity; cobalt is costly and mined under hard conditions; manganese adds stability. The trend has been toward more nickel, or toward cobalt-free LFP.

Cathode chemistry is as much about supply chains as science.

MATCH THE JOB

Which cathode fits?

A wall battery, a phone and a long-range car each want something different.

LFP for cost, safety and life; nickel-rich for energy.

UNIT 6 STUDY COMPLETE

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Ready for the Fab Challenge?

You've met the main cathode families and seen why each one suits a different product.