Optimizing Waterborne LNMO Cathode Production: Evaluating Alternative Binders for Enhanced Electrochemical Performance and Processability

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are a cornerstone technology for electromobility and grid-scale energy storage. Among cathode materials, LFP and NMC dominate the market, yet both face inherent limitations — cobalt dependency in NMC and limited energy density in LFP. The highvoltage spinel LiNi₀.₅Mn₁.₅O₄ (LNMO) represents a compelling cobalt-free alternative, delivering a nominal voltage of ~4.7 V vs. Li/Li⁺ and theoretical capacity of ~147 mAh g⁻¹. Despite these advantages, LNMO remains industrially underexplored, with electrode fabrication still predominantly relying on the NMP/PVdF system — a toxic, costly, and environmentally burdensome processing route. Transitioning to waterborne formulations[1] is thus a critical step toward scalable and sustainable manufacturing, yet the