In this study, water-processed LiNi0.5Mn0.3Co0.2O2 cathodes (NMC532) are investigated. Notably, corrosion of the aluminum current collector occurring in aqueous processing owing to the alkalinity of the NMC slurry is avoided through the addition of phosphoric acid which buffers the slurry pH, or by using a carbon-coated collector. The impact of small amounts of phosphoric acid on the electrochemical performance is evaluated in half cells, and the best formulations are selected to perform further ageing tests in pouch cells. In particular, post mortem analyses such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are conducted on