Sample Dependence of Magnetism in the Next-Generation Cathode Material LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂

We present a structural and magnetic study of two batches of polycrystalline LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ (commonly known as Li NMC 811), a Ni-rich Li ion battery cathode material, using elemental analysis, X-ray and neutron diffraction, magnetometry, and polarized neutron scattering measurements. We find that the samples, labeled S1 and S2, have the composition Li_1-Ni_0.9+MnCo_0.1O₂, with x = 0.025(2), y = 0.120(2) for S1 and x = 0.002(2), y = 0.094(2) for S2, corresponding to different concentrations of magnetic ions and excess Ni²⁺ in the Li⁺ layers. Both samples show a peak in the zero-field-cooled (ZFC) dc susceptibility at 8.0(2) K, but the temperature at which the ZFC and FC (field-cooled) curves deviate is substantially different: 64(2) K for S1 and 122(2) K for S2. The ac susceptibility measurements show that the transition for S1 shifts with frequency whereas no such shift is observed for S2 within the resolution of our measurements. Our results demonstrate the sample dependence of magnetic properties in Li NMC 811, consistent with previous reports on the parent material LiNiO₂. We further establish that a combination of experimental techniques is necessary to accurately determine the chemical composition of next-generation battery materials with multiple cations.