LNO Cathode Active Material (Li₂NiO₂) Powder

Overview

LNO lithium replenishment material is a lithium-rich nickel oxide powder (Li₂NiO₂) used as a sacrificial lithium source in lithium-ion battery electrodes. It is designed to compensate for first-cycle lithium loss (irreversible consumption of Li⁺), helping researchers improve initial coulombic efficiency and stabilise capacity in demanding cell chemistries.

Working principle

During electrochemical activation, Li₂NiO₂ can release lithium (Li⁺) and electrons, shifting towards a nickel oxide phase (often represented as Li₁₋ₓNiO₂). This controlled “lithium donation” increases the available lithium inventory in the cell, supporting better formation behaviour and improved balancing—especially in systems with high irreversible consumption.

Key features and specifications

• Reversible capacity: ~90 mAh/g
• Particle size (typical): D10 < 5 µm; D50 = 10–15 µm; D90 < 30 µm
• Lithium residue limits: LiOH < 3.0 wt%; Li₂CO₃ < 1.0 wt%
• Customisable particle size available to suit slurry rheology, coating thickness, and electrode packing requirements
  
  

Compatibility and use cases

LNO replenishment powder is commonly evaluated in:

• Silicon/SiOx-containing anode systems (high first-cycle loss)
• High-energy Li-ion research cells where lithium inventory control matters
• Additive blending into electrode formulations (typically handled in low-humidity conditions due to lithium-containing surface species)
  
  

Typical applications

• Formation optimisation and first-cycle efficiency studies
• Lithium inventory tuning in coin cells, pouch cells, and lab-scale prototypes
• Screening additive dosage impacts using battery cyclers and electrochemical test systems
  
  

ScienceGears can support end-to-end R&D workflows by pairing this material with coin-cell assembly tools, battery cyclers, and electrochemical instrumentation for controlled evaluation and reporting.