Single-crystal LiNi1-x-yCoxMnyO2 (NCM) cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries are usually synthesized from spherical hydroxide precursors obtained by co-precipitation. However, the co-precipitation process for the preparation of hydroxide precursors is compli-cated, takes a long time and generates a large amount of nitrogenous wastewater and exhaust gas (NH3), which is not friendly to the environment. In this paper, a pathway for the green and efficient synthesis of single-crystal LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NCM523) cathode is proposed. By simplifying the precursor preparation process and optimizing the lithiation sintering parameters, a single-crystal synthe-sis process without ammonia participation in the whole process and with shorter reaction time and simpler operation was achieved. The electrochemical test results show that the material has excellent electrochemical performance, with its first discharge specific capaci-ties of up to 154.27 mAh/g and 180.84 mAh/g in the voltage ranges of 2.8-4.3 V and 2.8-4.5 V at a current density of 1 C. The capacity retention rates of the material can reach up to 96.18% and 91.51% after 100 cycles. In addition, the material has good mechanical sta-bility, and the particles still maintain the intact single-crystal morphology after cycling.