Complete Analysis of NCM Cathode Materials for 21700 battery: From NCM523 to NCM811

Blog | Published by Alex on April 12, 2026

1. The Golden Combination of 21700 and NCM

Since Tesla and Panasonic mass-produced the first 21700 lithium-ion cell (21mm diameter, 70mm height) in 2017, this format has become a mainstream standard for power batteries. Compared to the previous 18650 generation, the 21700 offers roughly 35% more volume, a 20-30% increase in energy density, and a single-cell capacity reaching 4000-5000mAh. Among all cathode material systems, NCM (Lithium Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese Oxide) has become the most widely adopted technical route for 21700 battery due to its balanced performance. This article systematically reviews the common NCM material systems used in 21700 batteries, from low-nickel to high-nickel compositions, analyzing their technical characteristics, application scenarios, and industrialization status.

2. Naming Logic and Technical Essence of NCM Materials

The general chemical formula for NCM materials is LiNiₓCoᵧMn₁₋ₓ₋ᵧO₂, where 'x' and 'y' represent the molar ratios of nickel and cobalt respectively. The three digits in the material type directly represent the proportion of nickel, cobalt, and manganese—for example, "523" indicates Ni:Co:Mn = 5:2:3. Each transition metal serves a distinct role: nickel enhances energy density, cobalt stabilizes the layered structure and improves cycle life, and manganese boosts thermal stability and safety. This "division of labor" design philosophy allows NCM materials to find the optimal balance across different performance dimensions by adjusting the ratios of the three elements.

3. Mainstream NCM Material Systems in 21700 battery

3.1 NCM523: The Classic Balanced Option

NCM523 (Ni:Co:Mn = 5:2:3) is an early mature formulation applied to 21700 battery. With a moderate nickel content (50%), it offers medium energy density (approximately 200-220Wh/kg) while maintaining robust safety, cycle life, and cost control. For early power tools, e-bikes, and other cost-sensitive applications with high safety requirements, NCM523 was an ideal choice. However, as market demands for driving range continue to increase, NCM523 is gradually being replaced by higher-nickel products in the power battery sector for 21700 battery.

3.2 NCM622: The Transitional Balanced Choice

NCM622 (Ni:Co:Mn = 6:2:2) increases the nickel content to 60%, pushing the energy density to the 220-240Wh/kg range. Compared to NCM523, it maintains the same cobalt content while improving energy density, serving as a crucial intermediate product in the transition to high-nickel systems. Currently, NCM622 is still widely used in mid-range electric vehicles, electric motorcycles, and high-performance power tools.

3.3 NCM811: The Benchmark of the High-Nickel Era

NCM811 (Ni:Co:Mn = 8:1:1) is the most representative cathode material in the current 21700 power battery field. With a nickel content as high as 80% and cobalt content reduced to 10%, its energy density reaches 250-300Wh/kg. For example, the 21700 battery used in Tesla's Model 3 employ an NCM811-based system (Tesla refers to a close variant with a 90:5:5 high-nickel ratio).

The primary reason NCM811 has become mainstream is its significant reduction in reliance on expensive cobalt resources while meeting the core demand for long driving range in electric vehicles. However, the high-nickel system also introduces challenges such as reduced thermal stability and accelerated cycle life degradation. To address these issues, the industry has adopted a three-pronged strategy: first, using techniques like atomic layer deposition (ALD) for nano-coating on the cathode material at the cell level to suppress interfacial side reactions; second, equipping the battery pack with advanced thermal management systems and BMS; and third, adding functional additives to the electrolyte to optimize SEI film stability.

3.4 Ultra-High Nickel NCM (NCM90/9055): The Next Performance Benchmark

Building on NCM811, leading manufacturers are developing ultra-high nickel systems with nickel content ≥90% (e.g., NCM90, NCM9055). These materials can achieve energy densities exceeding 300Wh/kg, enabling even longer driving ranges for electric vehicles. The 21700 battery developed by Tesla and Panasonic reportedly use a high-nickel formulation of Ni:Co:Al = 90:5:5, which is essentially a variant of the NCM system. However, the technical bottlenecks of ultra-high nickel materials—including high moisture sensitivity, narrow processing windows, and faster cycle life degradation—have not yet been fully overcome. Consequently, they are mainly used in premium electric vehicles and specialized fields such as aerospace.

4. Performance Comparison and Application Mapping of Different NCM Types

The table below summarizes the key performance indicators and typical applications for each NCM variant used in 21700 battery.


As the table illustrates, there is a natural trade-off between energy density and thermal stability in NCM materials—higher nickel content yields greater energy density but also increases safety risks. Therefore, different application scenarios require distinct selection strategies:

- Consumer electronics & power tools: Prioritize safety and cycle life; NCM523 and NCM622 remain viable choices.
- Mid-range electric vehicles: Seek a balance between cost and performance; NCM622 is a common choice.
- Long-range electric vehicles: NCM811 has become the de facto standard, supported by advanced thermal management technology to ensure safety.
- Flagship models & high-performance applications: Moving towards ultra-high nickel (Ni≥90%), requiring top-tier BMS and cooling systems.

5. Industrialization Status and Future Trends

5.1 Production Capacity and Cost Landscape

Currently, the production capacity for NCM materials used in 21700 battery is concentrated in China, South Korea, and Japan. Chinese manufacturers like DMEGC have achieved mass production of NCM-based 21700 battery, with capacities ranging from 4500-5000mAh. In terms of cost, as nickel content increases and cobalt usage decreases, the material cost of NCM811 has been reduced by approximately 15-20% compared to NCM523, making high-energy-density batteries more accessible.

5.2 Technology Evolution Directions

Over the next 2-3 years, NCM materials for 21700 battery will follow three major evolution trends:
First, single-crystalization. Traditional polycrystalline NCM materials tend to develop microcracks during long-term cycling, leading to performance degradation. Single-crystal NCM materials, with a more complete crystal structure, significantly improve cycle stability and safety.

Second, composite cathodes. Combining NCM with materials like LMFP (Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate) allows for both the high energy density of NCM and the high safety of LMFP. Research from the Industrial Technology Research Institute shows that a composite cathode of 80% NCM811 and 20% LMFP can pass the nail penetration safety test while maintaining high energy density.

Third, ultra-high nickel with silicon-anode synergy. When the cathode uses NCM90 or even higher nickel content, to fully realize its energy density potential, the anode must be paired with silicon-carbon composite materials (e.g., Forge Battery's Gen 1.1 Supercell uses a SiOx/graphite composite anode) to achieve a system energy density exceeding 300Wh/kg.

6. Wrap-up

NCM cathode materials for 21700 battery have developed a complete product spectrum ranging from NCM523 to ultra-high nickel compositions. Among these, NCM811 has become the de facto standard in the current power battery field, thanks to its energy density advantage of 250-300Wh/kg. Different NCM formulations are not merely a case of newer replacing older; rather, each finds its applicable niche based on safety requirements, cost constraints, and performance targets of specific applications. In the future, with the maturation of single-crystal technology, composite cathodes, and the synergistic pairing of ultra-high nickel with silicon-anode systems, the NCM family will continue to play a core role in 21700 battery, providing higher-performance energy solutions for electric vehicles, energy storage systems, power tools, and beyond.

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