Untangling the variables: Operational parameters and metrics in NMC cathode synthesis by Co-precipitation

The wide range of applications for NMC lithium-ion batteries has led to increasing interest in the production of their cathodic material, as it is the most challenging component. Co-precipitation synthesis is the most promising method; it can be scaled up to industrial levels without compromising the quality of the resulting product. Despite the substantial number of studies on this topic, there is still no complete understanding of the process. Current studies are often collections of experiments in which operative parameters are varied through trial-and-error procedures to determine optimal conditions. A unified method is still lacking due to conflicting interpretations of the data. The study presented here compiles numerous outcomes obtained over the years, aiming to identify the best operative conditions. The conclusions are drawn from evaluating the most reliable theories proposed thus far. The goal is to establish a standardized procedure for the synthesis of NMC cathodic material, providing theoretical justifications and observations that go beyond merely collecting experimental data.