Overview of NCM622 ternary positive electrode material for lithium batteries

Among the many key components of lithium-ion batteries, 

the performance of the positive electrode material directly determines the core indicators such as energy density, cycle life, and safety of the battery.

 Among them, NCM622, as a highly anticipated ternary positive electrode material, is gradually showing its unique charm and huge application potential. 

This article provides a detailed introduction from the aspects of basic concepts, performance, etc., aiming to provide knowledge sharing for lithium battery practitioners and enthusiasts.

1、 NCM622 Material Concept

NCM622, also known as lithium cobalt manganese oxide (LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2), 

is a composite material composed of three metal elements: nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), and manganese (Mn) in a molar ratio of 6:2:2. 

This unique chemical composition endows NCM622 with excellent electrochemical performance. Among them:

①Nickel element is the key to improving the energy density of batteries. 

In NCM622, a higher proportion of nickel helps to increase the theoretical specific capacity of the material, enabling the battery to store more electrical energy. 

However, excessive nickel content may lead to unstable material structure, affecting the cycle life and safety of the battery. 

The nickel content in NCM622 balances structural stability well while ensuring high energy density.

② The proportion of cobalt element in the material is relatively low, but it plays a crucial role.

 It helps to improve the conductivity and rate performance of materials, 

enabling batteries to maintain good performance under high current charging and discharging conditions.

③ Manganese provides structural stability and safety for the material.

 It can suppress the phase transition of materials during charging and discharging, reduce capacity decay, and lower the cost of batteries.

2、 Performance of NCM622

①High energy density

The high energy density of NCM622 material is one of its most prominent advantages. 

Compared to traditional lithium-ion battery cathode materials such as lithium iron phosphate (LFP), 

NCM622 can store more electrical energy with the same weight and volume. 

This feature enables electric vehicles equipped with NCM622 batteries to have a longer range, meeting consumers' demand for travel convenience.

 For portable electronic devices, the NCM622 battery with high energy density means a thinner and lighter device design and longer usage time.

② Good cycling performance

During the long-term use of batteries, cycling performance is a crucial indicator. 

 NCM622 material exhibits good structural stability during charge discharge cycles and can effectively reduce capacity decay.

 After multiple cycles, the battery can still maintain a high capacity, extending its lifespan and reducing user costs.

③Moderate cost

While pursuing high performance, cost is also an important factor restricting the widespread application of lithium-ion batteries.

 Compared to ternary materials with higher nickel content, such as NCM811 and NCM622, the difficulty and cost in the preparation process are relatively low. 

Meanwhile, its performance is significantly better than traditional positive electrode materials such as LFP. 

This moderate cost advantage makes NCM622 highly competitive in the market, providing the possibility for large-scale promotion and application.

④ Suitable working voltage

NCM622 material has a suitable working voltage that matches its chemical composition and can operate stably within a high voltage window. 

This not only helps improve the energy efficiency of the battery, but also reduces energy loss during charging and discharging, further enhancing the performance of the battery.

⑤ Faster ion transport rate

The ion transport rate is a key factor affecting the charging and discharging speed of batteries. 

The nickel element in NCM622 material helps maintain a fast ion transfer rate, 

enabling the battery to complete charging and discharging in a short period of time, meeting users' needs for fast charging and high power output.

3、 Application of NCM622 in the field of electric vehicles

High performance lithium-ion batteries are one of the core technologies for the development of electric vehicles. 

NCM622 has been widely used in the field of electric vehicles due to its excellent performance.

① Improve range

The range of electric vehicles has always been a focus of consumer attention. 

Electric vehicles equipped with NCM622 batteries can provide longer range with the same battery weight and volume, effectively alleviating consumers' range anxiety. 

This gives electric vehicles a greater advantage in competition with traditional fuel vehicles, driving the popularity of electric vehicles.

②Fast charging capability

In the fast-paced modern life, fast charging has become an urgent need for electric vehicle users.

 The fast ion transfer rate of NCM622 material enables electric vehicles to achieve shorter charging times, improving user convenience.

 For example, some electric vehicles using NCM622 batteries can charge to over 80% in 30 minutes, greatly reducing charging time.

③Cost control

The cost of electric vehicles has always been an important factor restricting their widespread adoption.

 NCM622 material has a relatively moderate cost while ensuring performance. 

This helps to reduce the overall cost of electric vehicle batteries,

 making electric vehicles more competitive in price and creating favorable conditions for the market promotion of electric vehicles.

4、Application of NCM622 in Portable Electronic Devices

In addition to the field of electric vehicles, NCM622 also has a wide range of applications in portable electronic devices. 

Devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops have high requirements for battery energy density, cycle life, and volumetric weight.

① Lightweight design

The high energy density of NCM622 material enables portable electronic devices to adopt smaller and thinner battery designs. 

This not only helps to reduce the weight of the device and improve portability,

 but also provides more space for other components inside the device, achieving a more compact design.

② Long battery life

For devices such as smartphones, battery life is the key to user experience.

 NCM622 batteries can provide longer usage time for portable electronic devices, reduce the hassle of frequent charging for users, and improve user satisfaction.

③Stability performance

During frequent charging and discharging processes, 

NCM622 material can maintain good performance stability, ensuring that portable electronic devices can maintain good battery performance throughout their entire service life.

5、 Market and Price Dynamics of NCM622

With the rapid development of the new energy vehicle market and the continuous upgrading of portable electronic devices,

 the demand for high-performance lithium-ion batteries continues to grow. 

This has also driven the prosperity of the NCM622 material market.

① Market demand

In recent years, the market demand for NCM622 material has shown a rapid growth trend. 

According to market research institutions' predictions, the market share of NCM622 material will further expand in the coming years,

 becoming one of the mainstream products in the lithium-ion battery cathode material market.

②Price fluctuations

The price of NCM622 material is influenced by various factors, 

such as raw material costs, supply and demand relationships, production technology progress, and macroeconomic environment. 

In the past period of time, the price of NCM622 material has experienced some fluctuations. 

But with the expansion of production scale and the continuous maturity of technology, it is expected that its price will gradually stabilize and is expected to further decline.

③ Competitive landscape

In the NCM622 material market, numerous companies have engaged in fierce competition.

 Some enterprises with advanced technology and large-scale production capabilities have gradually taken the dominant position in the market. 

Meanwhile, new entrants are constantly emerging, driving technological innovation and intensifying market competition.

6、 Challenges and Development Trends Faced by NCM622

（1） Facing challenges

①Security issues

NCM622 has better safety compared to high nickel materials, but there is still a risk of thermal runaway under extreme conditions.

 Therefore, how to further improve the safety of materials is one of the important directions for future research.

② Further improvement of cycle life

NCM622 has good cycling performance, but in some application scenarios, such as electric vehicles, higher requirements are placed on cycling life. 

The improvement of cycle life also requires means such as improving material structure and optimizing preparation processes to further enhance the cycle life of NCM622 material.

③ Cost reduction

The cost of NCM622 is relatively moderate, but with the intensification of market competition and technological progress, 

it still needs to continuously reduce costs to improve its market competitiveness.

（2） Development Trends

1. Technological innovation

By continuous research and innovation, improving the synthesis methods and structural design of materials, the performance of NCM622 is further enhanced. 

For example, using nanotechnology, surface modification and other methods to optimize the electrochemical performance and stability of materials.

②Composite with other materials

Composite NCM622 with other positive electrode materials or additives to compensate for its shortcomings, exert synergistic effects, and improve the overall performance of the battery.

③ Optimization of large-scale production technology

With the continuous growth of market demand, optimizing large-scale production technology, improving production efficiency and product quality,

 and reducing production costs will be the key to the future development of NCM622 materials.

In summary, lithium battery NCM622, as an efficient positive electrode material, will also demonstrate enormous potential in the field of energy storage.