Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide (LiNiCoAlO₂) — NCA

 

About:

Lithium-ion is named for its active materials; the words are either written in full or shortened by their chemical symbols. A series of letters and numbers strung together can be hard to remember and even harder to pronounce, and battery chemistries are also identified in abbreviated letters. 

For example, lithium cobalt oxide, one of the most common Li-ions, has the chemical symbols LiCoO₂ and the abbreviation LCO. For reasons of simplicity, the short form Li-cobalt can also be used for this battery. Cobalt is the main active material that gives this battery character. Other Li-ion chemistries are given similar short-form names.  

Technology Description:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide battery, or NCA, has been around since 1999 for special applications. It shares similarities with NMC by offering high specific energy, reasonably good specific power and a long life span. Less flattering are safety and cost. NCA is a further development of lithium nickel oxide; adding aluminum gives the chemistry greater stability. 

Voltages	3.60V nominal; typical operating range 3.0–4.2V/cell
Specific energy (capacity)	200-260Wh/kg; 300Wh/kg predictable
Charge (C-rate)	0.7C, charges to 4.20V (most cells), 3h charge typical, fast charge possible with some cells
Discharge (C-rate)	1C typical; 3.00V cut-off; high discharge rate shortens battery life
Cycle life	500 (related to depth of discharge, temperature)
Thermal runaway	150°C (302°F) typical, High charge promotes thermal runaway
Cost	~$350 per kWh (Source: RWTH, Aachen)
Applications	Medical devices, industrial, electric powertrain (Tesla)
Comments    Latest update:	Shares similarities with Li-cobalt. Serves as Energy Cell.    Mainly used by Panasonic and Tesla; growth potential.

References:

1. https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/types_of_lithium_ion#:~:text=Lithium%20Nickel%20Manganese%20Cobalt%20Oxide%20(LiNiMnCoO2)%20%E2%80%94%20NMC,Energy%20Cells%20or%20Power%20Cells.&text=The%20secret%20of%20NMC%20lies%20in%20combining%20nickel%20and%20manganese. ​​​​​​​