Voltage and Capacity Curves

How each electrode's voltage changes as it delivers its capacity, and how a faster rate (C-rate) shortens and lowers the curve. 1C means a full discharge in one hour; 10C in six minutes.

C-rate (discharge)C/10

LCO
NMC111
NMC811
NCA
LFP
LMO

Schematic model, not measured data. Curve shapes follow the published voltage profiles qualitatively; the effect of the charge rate is a simple capacity-loss and polarization model, meant to show the trend: faster rates give shorter, lower discharge curves.

Key numbers

Voltages and practical capacities are typical literature values; theoretical capacities are computed from the formula as Q = nF / (3.6 M). Specific energy is at material level against a metal counter-electrode (Q × V), so full cells are lower.

Material	Average voltage	Theoretical	Typical practical	Model at C/10	Specific energy	Cycle life
LCOLiCoO₂	≈3.8 V^{[32, 33, 34]}	274 mAh/g	≈140–150 mAh/g	148 mAh/g	≈560 Wh/kg	Good when charged to ~4.2 V; fades faster at higher cut-off voltages.
NMC111LiNi₁/₃Mn₁/₃Co₁/₃O₂	≈3.7 V^{[32, 37]}	278 mAh/g	150 mAh/g (3.5–4.2 V); 200 mAh/g up to 5.0 V	149 mAh/g	≈560 Wh/kg	Good; a common choice for long-life electric-vehicle cells.
NMC811LiNi₀.₈Mn₀.₁Co₀.₁O₂	≈3.7 V^{[38, 39]}	276 mAh/g	≈200 mAh/g	199 mAh/g	≈740 Wh/kg	>95% capacity kept after 100 half-cell cycles; Ni-richer grades fade faster.
NCALiNi₀.₈Co₀.₁₅Al₀.₀₅O₂	≈3.7 V^[32]	279 mAh/g	≈199 mAh/g	198 mAh/g	≈740 Wh/kg	Good, but sensitive to high temperature and deep cycling.
LFPLiFePO₄	≈3.4–3.5 V (flat)^{[32, 35]}	170 mAh/g	≈160–165 mAh/g	165 mAh/g	≈570 Wh/kg	Very long; the most durable common cathode.
LMOLiMn₂O₄	≈4.1 V^{[32, 36, 55]}	148 mAh/g	≈120 mAh/g	120 mAh/g	≈490 Wh/kg	Moderate; manganese dissolves at elevated temperature and poisons the anode.