Battery Materials
Next generation battery materials for rechargeable batteries
The development of better materials for use in rechargeable batteries is key to the future of many industries. Drawing on the know-how from Topsoe’s many years of in-depth experience with catalysis and materials science, from product development at the nanoscale to fully industrialized manufacturing at the ton-scale, we are now developing next-generation battery materials for rechargeable batteries that will be safer, lighter, more durable, faster to charge, more powerful and more cost-effective.
Our focus is on developing and optimizing cathode materials that address increasingly critical issues relating to cost and the raw materials supply chain.
Lithium-ion
(Li-ion)
Topsoe LNMO cathode material is a cobalt-free high-voltage (5V) spinel for use in next-generation lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.
LNMO (LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4) battery chemistry has numerous advantages. The high working potential and high energy density pave the way to either longer operating ranges or a smaller battery package, whilst the three-dimensional spinel structure makes it possible to achieve high discharge rates and fast battery charging. The absence of cobalt and the relatively low nickel content make this a cost-effective alternative to today’s mainstream lithium-ion battery chemistries.
Learn more about the unique performance characteristics of the LNMO cathode material in this blog post.
We believe that successful battery development derives from close collaboration between the customer, the cell manufacturer and the battery chemistry supplier. Topsoe therefore continues to invest substantial R&D efforts into customer-specific programs, to jointly engineer the specific battery solution that will keep you at the forefront of lithium-ion battery performance.
The on-going production scale-up means Topsoe will be able to support our customers with ton-scale production of Topsoe LNMO cathode material from our pilot plant in 2023.
The battery industry can benefit from Topsoe’s unique technology and materials science capabilities to develop the cathode materials best suited for specific applications.
For LNMO, our ambition is to develop optimized cathode materials for use in automotive electric vehicles as well as use in other demanding applications by entering appropriate partnerships. We believe this will be the best way to secure our technology and IP portfolio a place in the market, and to establish large-scale production that is able to meet the stringent demands of the future.
Partnering up for the future
Related Downloads

Characterization of high-voltage Li1.0Ni0.5Mn1.5O4
Battery cells featuring this material have a high energy density and are significantly cheaper compared to cells with high-nickel tri-metal cathode materials such as NCA and NMC811. This is because LNMO is cobalt-free, low in nickel and has a high operating potential of 4.7 V vs. Li/Li+. The latter also reduces the amount of anode needed to obtain a certain energy in the battery
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Developing a high-performance, cobalt-free, 3V battery cell
Developing a high-performance, cobalt-free, 3V battery cell based on high-voltage spinel (LNMO) cathode and mixed niobium oxide (XNO) anode
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Empowering high voltage lithium batteries
In the battery business, it’s well known that the choice of nominal voltage is often a tradeoff between high energy density and low battery degradation.
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Technical status for LNMO material - January 2021
Status for battery cells based on high-voltage LNMO spinel material
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