Tracing monoclinic distortion in NCM532 cathode materials by in situ high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction

Layered LiNi_xCo_yMn_zO₂ (NCM) cathode materials have emerged as the best choice for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries for powering electric vehicles. Despite significant research efforts, the understanding of complex structural dynamics during lithium (de-) intercalation still remains a subject of debate, especially in scenarios where morphology and composition vary. In this study, we carried out in situ high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments on commercial NCM523 cathode materials in both single crystal and polycrystalline forms to probe the structural changes during charging and discharging in detail. Our findings reveal that both single crystal and polycrystalline materials exhibit typical H1–H2–H3 phase transitions. However, in polycrystalline NCM532, a monoclinic intermediate phase emerges between the H1 and H2 phases. During this process, symmetry reduces from R-3m to C2/m, which is attributed to a shear distortion along the ab plane. In contrast, for single crystal materials, the H1 phase directly transforms into the H2 phase without the monoclinic phase. The observed monoclinic distortion significantly impacts structural stability and material cycling performance. This study provides new insight into the structural dynamics in NCM532 cathode materials, particularly concerning morphology-dependent behaviors, which could deepen our understanding of the relationship between NCM material structures and their performance.