NCM532 Cathode Active Material

Overview

TOB-NCM-532 is an NCM532 (also referred to as NMC532) layered oxide cathode active material based on LiNi₀.₅Co₀.₂Mn₀.₃O₂. In lithium-ion batteries, its working mechanism is reversible lithium-ion intercalation/de-intercalation within a layered transition-metal oxide lattice. The Ni-rich fraction supports higher practical capacity than lower-nickel compositions, while Mn and Co contribute to structural stability and well-behaved electrochemical kinetics—making NCM532 a widely adopted “workhorse” cathode for reproducible research.

Key material characteristics (typical)

• Particle size distribution (µm): D10 ≥ 5.0 (ref. 6.4), D50 8.0–12.0 (ref. 10.6), D90 ≤ 25.0 (ref. 17.5)
• Moisture (H₂O): ≤ 0.10% (ref. 0.07%)
• pH: ≤ 11.6 (ref. 11.35)
• BET surface area: 0.20–0.60 m²/g (ref. 0.27)
• Tap density: ≥ 2.0 g/cm³ (ref. 2.20)
  
  

Coin cell performance (typical)

• 0.5C capacity: ≥ 158 mAh/g (ref. 160.1)
• 1C capacity: ≥ 153 mAh/g (ref. 155.2)
• First-cycle efficiency: ≥ 83% (ref. 84.5)
  
  

Compatibility and applications

NCM532 is commonly processed into composite cathodes (active powder + conductive carbon + binder) coated on aluminium foil and paired with standard carbonate electrolytes (e.g., LiPF₆-based) for half-cell screening versus lithium metal or full cells with graphite/silicon-graphite anodes. Typical applications include:

• Benchmarking cycle life, rate capability and EIS behaviour
• Cathode formulation optimisation (binder/carbon loading, areal capacity)
• Post-mortem and in-situ studies when combined with appropriate electrochemical cells and Raman/XRD workflows
  
  

Why choose ScienceGears

ScienceGears supports Australian and New Zealand labs with practical guidance on integrating cathode materials into battery cyclers, potentiostats/galvanostats, and compatible electrochemical cell hardware—helping you move from powder to defensible electrochemical data efficiently.