Review on surface engineering of NMC for high performance of lithium-ion batteries

The lithium-ion battery stands as a highly promising energy storage system. Among its key components, the cathode material—particularly lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNiMnCoO₂), or NMC—is of great importance due to its high specific capacity and cost-effectiveness. Despite its advantages, NMC faces certain challenges, with limited cycle performance being one of the most critical issues. To address this issue, extensive research has been dedicated to surface modification strategies for NMC materials. Studies have identified two primary approaches, doping and coating, both of which have proven effective in enhancing the material's long-term stability. This work systematically examines, categorizes, and compares recent advancements in NMC surface engineering. Additionally, potential future research directions for optimizing NMC cathode materials are proposed.