Calendering effects on the physical and electrochemical properties of Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3]O2 cathode

► Calendering effects on the breaking strength and Young's modulus of the Li[Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]O2 (NCM) composite laminate. ► The effect of electrode porosity on the electrochemical properties of the NCM cathode. ► An optimum electrode porosity of 30-40% is obtained for the NCM cathode containing 8% PVDF and 7% acetylene black. ► The activation energy for Li ion charge transfer at the electrode/electrolyte interface is in agreement with the poor rate performance of the electrode at 0% porosity.